Karnataka govt announces Rs 1,250 crore Covid relief package for those hit by lockdown

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Bengaluru: As Karnataka is battling the second wave of pandemic, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Wednesday announced over Rs 1,250 crore relief package for those whose livelihood has been affected by Covid-19 induced lockdown.

The Chief Minister also said a decision will be taken on extending the current lockdown, a couple of days ahead of it coming to a close on May 24.

Despite that, as the current restrictions have affected the livelihood of those with unorganized sector and farmers, to mitigate its impact we are announcing a relief programme of more than Rs 1,250 crore,” Yediyurappa said.

Beneficiaries of the package

Listing out details of the relief package, the CM said Rs 10,000 relief will be given to 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 financial relief 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 relief will be given to auto, taxi, and maxi cab drivers who have licences and have registered, benefiting about 2.10 lakh beneficiaries and it may cost Rs 63 crore.

Yediyurappa further said Rs 3,000 each will be given to labourers who have registered with Karnataka Building And Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, costing Rs 494 crore.

He said Rs 2,000 each will be given to those under unorganised sector like barbers, washermen, tailors, porters, ragpickers, potters, goldsmiths, mechanics, blacksmith, household workers, cobblers, among others, benefiting 3.04 lakh people, and will cost about Rs 60.89 crore.

Roadside vendors, those registered under the Aatma Nirbhar package will be given Rs 2,000 each, he 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 and will cost Rs 4.82 crore, he further added, while listing out several other announcements.