Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Wednesday announced a relief package of over Rs 1,250 crore for those whose livelihoods have been affected by the Covid-19-induced lockdown.
“Our government had given financial packages to various sectors during the Covid first wave. Despite that, as the current restrictions have affected the livelihood of those in the unorganised sector and farmers, to mitigate its impact we are announcing a relief programme of more than Rs 1,250 crore,” Yediyurappa said.
Speaking to reporters, he said his government was announcing the package despite the state facing financial constraints, and is standing by the people during this difficult time.
Listing out details of the relief package, the CM said that Rs 10,000 in relief will be given to flower growers for per hectare loss. It will benefit about 20,000 farmers and may cost Rs 12.73 crore.
For the losses suffered by fruit and vegetable growers, Rs 10,000 per ha will be given to growers, limiting it to one hectare. He said this will benefit about 69,000 farmers and may cost Rs 69 crore.
Besides, Rs 3,000 each will be given to auto, taxi and maxi cab drivers who have licences and are registered, benefiting about 2.10 lakh beneficiaries and costing the government about Rs 63 crore.
Yediyurappa further said Rs 3,000 each will be given to labourers who have registered with the Karnataka Building And Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, at a cost of Rs 494 crore.
Further, Rs 2,000 each will be given to people working in the unorganised sector like barbers, washermen, tailor, porters, ragpickers, potters, goldsmiths, mechanics, blacksmith, household workers, cobblers, among others. The relief measures will benefit 3.04 lakh people, and will cost about Rs 60.89 crore.
Roadside vendors registered under the Aatma Nirbhar package will be given Rs 2,000 each, the CM said, adding that it will benefit about 2.20 lakh people and cost Rs 44 crore.
Also, artists and art teams will be given Rs 3,000 each, benefiting 16,095 beneficiaries. It will cost Rs 4.82 crore, he added.
This announcement comes after opposition parties, including the Congress, urged the state government to provide relief to people whose livelihoods have been affected by the lockdown. The Yediyurappa government was one of the first state governments to announce an economic relief package during the first wave last year too, even ahead of the Centre.
The Chief Minister also said that a decision would be taken on extending the current lockdown as it is coming to a close on May 24. The state government had initially announced a 14-day “close down” from April 27, but subsequently imposed a complete lockdown from May 10 to May 24, as Covid cases continued to spike. Several leaders, including ministers, have expressed their views in favour of extending it.