Karnataka CM Yediyurapppa announces 3rd lockdown relief package worth Rs 512 crore

By Team Newsable | First Published May 15, 2020, 3:35 PM IST

The relief package focuses on maize farmers and ASHA workers who are at the forefront fighting the deadly coronavirus battle.

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government, on Friday, announced a third economic package worth about Rs 512 crore, giving relief to maize farmers and incentivising the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers, at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19.

Chief minister BS Yediyurappa said that around 10 lakh maize farmers will get Rs 5,000 each and the ASHA workers would get an incentive of Rs 3,000 each through cooperative institutions.

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"About 10 lakh maize farmers are suffering as they are not getting proper price, that is why I have decided to give Rs 5,000 relief to each farmer, it is around a Rs 500 crore commitment," he told reporters.

He said there were about 40,250 ASHA workers in the state, and each would get Rs 3,000, which will add up to about Rs 12.50 crore. "Despite the state’s financial condition being not good we have already announced financial packages for those in distress. First one was Rs 1,610 crore, second was Rs 162 crore and this is the third one," he added.

The Yediyurappa-led government on Thursday had announced a Rs 162 crore financial relief package for vegetable and fruit growers and weavers of power looms, who are in distress because of COVID-19 induced lockdown.

Last week it announced a Rs 1,610 crore relief package which included cash assistance of Rs 5,000 each to thousands of fishermen, barbers, autorickshaw and taxi drivers, whose lives have been affected by the lockdown.

The package also includes relief to farmers, flower growers, certain relaxation in electricity bills for MSMEs and large industries. Rs 2,000 for handloom weavers and Rs 3,000 to building workers is also included.

Yediyurappa on Friday also assured all possible assistance to the farming community, once the coronavirus crisis was over. "Farmers are my government's priority. If a farmer is happy everyone is happy. As farmers are in distress, despite the financial situation not being so good, we have announced this decision of Rs 5000 to each maize farmer. Money will reach them soon," he added.

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