Bengaluru: To bring early relief to farmers, flower growers, washermen, barbers, auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers — some of the worst-affected by the Covid-19 induced lockdown, the Karnataka government on Wednesday announced a Rs 1,610 crore package.
“The state government will provide Rs 1,610 crore compensation/benefit to the people who are in distress due to the lockdown since March 25 and extended till May 17 to contain the coronavirus spread,” Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa told reporters here.
Among the beneficiaries of the package are farmers and growers of flowers, vegetables and fruits, washermen, barbers, auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers who all suffered huge losses due to the prolonged lockdown, which has been extended twice since April 15 and May 4.
“As growers have destroyed their flowers in 11,687 hectares across the state due to lack of demand during the lockdown, Rs 25,000 compensation per hectare will be given to those who suffered crop loss to the extent of 1 hectare,” said Yediyurappa.
A separate relief package will soon be announced for farmers and growers of vegetables and fruits, as they too suffered huge amount of losses due to the lockdown, he added.
Similarly, service professionals like 2,30,000 barbers and 60,000 washermen (dhobis) in urban and rural areas, who too have been affected by the lockdown, will be given one-time compensation of Rs 5,000 each.
About 7,75,000 auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers across the state, who also lost income due to lockdown, will be given one-time compensation of Rs 5,000 each.
“As micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) also reeled under production loss over the last 42 days and will take time to revive, monthly fixed charges on their electricity bills will be waived for two months since April,” said Yediyurappa.
Payment of fixed charges on power bills of large industries will also be deferred without penalty and interest for two months since April.
“Incentive and concessions will be given to consumers paying bills in the stipulated time. Reduction will be given on interest on delayed payment and adequate time for paying balance bill payment in installments,” said the Chief Minister.
Power connection will not be disconnected till June 30 for consumers who have not paid arrears of their electricity bills.
“Of the Rs 109 crore loan waiver scheme announced earlier for handloom weavers, Rs 29 crore has been paid to them and balance Rs 80 crore will be released soon,” Yediyurappa said.
The 54,000 handloom weavers will also be eligible for fresh loans to resume their business. A reimbursement benefit will be provided to weavers who repaid loan in the last fiscal.
The Chief Minister said a new scheme “weaver samman yojana” (nekarara sammana yojane) for the benefit of the weavers would soon be announced.
Under the scheme, the state government will deposit Rs 2,000 in the bank account of each handloom weaver through the direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme.
“We are also transferring Rs 2,000 in the bank accounts of 11.80-lakh building workers through the DBT,” he said.
About 15.80 lakh registered building workers are registered across the state, and action has been initiated to transfer Rs 2,000 into the accounts of the remaining 4-lakh construction workers after verifying their bank details, he added.
The state government has also decided to transfer Rs 3,000 more to building workers through DBT.(IANS)
