Looking after the vulnerable: Key to preventing spread of COVID-19

It is now more than one and half months after strategic lockdown was announced to contain the spread of highly contagious Covid19 virus. It can be said with some confidence that Manipur has been successful in preventing the spread of the pandemic due to timely action and full cooperation of all the citizens.
This success can also be attributed to the Central government’s Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana package that was designed to take care of the weaker sections of the society during lockdown. One of the most important part of the package is the Ann Yojana under which 80 crore poor people are getting 5 kg wheat or rice and 1 kg of preferred pulses for free every month.
   Another part of the package, that gives dignity to and ensures health of women in poor households, is the  Ujjwala yojana under which the govt gives gas cylinder free of cost to 8 crore poor families.
The part of the PMGKY package which is giving assistance in earning livelihood is PM KISAN. It is designed for ensuring dignified life for small and marginal farmers and is meant to address farmer’s issues like migration and improvement of crop intensity.
Under the scheme, Rs 6,000 is given per year to small and marginal farmer families having combined land holding/ownership of upto 2 hectares. The amount is given in three instalments of Rs.2000 each. Rs 16,394 crore has been front loaded towards payment of the first instalment of PM-KISAN to 8.19 crore beneficiaries.
Manipur government has strictly and proactively implemented this initiative of Central Government and has ensured that the distribution of essential items under this package reaches every nook and corner of the state and nobody sleeps hungry during lockdown.
To be contd
                                              PIB