Bengaluru, May 6 () The Karnataka government onWednesday announced a Rs 1,610 crore relief package for thebenefit of those in distress due to the COVID-19-inducedlockdown.
The measures announced by the Chief Minister B SYediyurappa would bring relief to farmers, flower-growers,washermen, auto rickshaw and taxi drivers, MSMEs, largeindustries, weavers, building workers and barbers.
The government also announced a 11 per cent excise dutyhike, which is in addition to the six per cent announced inthe budget.
People from all sections of society are facing financialdifficulties due to lockdown of more than one and a halfmonths, the Chief Minister noted.
Flower growers have destroyed their flowers followinglack of demand for their produce due to the lockdown.
It is estimated that farmers cultivated flowers in about11,687 hectares.
Realising the problems facing flower growers, thegovernment announced a compensation of Rs 25,000 per hectarelimited to a maximum extent of one hectare for the crop loss.
Farmers who have grown vegetables and fruits were notable to market their produce, and the government has decidedto announce a relief package for them.
Covid-19 has also affected service professionals such asbarbers and washermen (dhobis) both in urban and rural areas,and it has been decided to provide a one time compensation ofRs 5,000 each to benefit about 60,000 washermen and about2,30,000 barbers.
A decision has also been taken to help about 7,75,000Auto & Taxi drivers by providing one time compensation of Rs5,000 each.
MSMEs have also suffered huge production losses due tothe lockdown.
It takes some time for them to revive, Yediyurappa said.
The monthly fixed charges of electricity bills of MSMEswill be waived for two months.
Payment of fixed charges in the electricity bills of thelarge industries would be deferred without penalty andinterest for a period of two months.
The Chief Minister also announced certain benefits forelectricity consumers of all categories.
The state government has already announced Rs 109 croreweavers loan Waiver scheme, of which Rs 29 crore has beenreleased during 2019-20.
Balance amount of Rs 80.00 crore would be releasedimmediately.
This would help weavers get fresh loans to continue theiroccupation.
The Chief Minister also announced a new scheme, WeaverSamman Yojana (Nekarara Sammana yojane) for the benefit of thesuffering weavers.
Under this scheme, the government would deposit Rs 2,000directly into the bank account of the handloom weaver throughDBT.
This will benefit about 54,000 handloom weavers in thestate.
There are 15.80 lakh registered building workers in thestate.
The government has already transferred Rs 2,000 to thebank account of 11.80 lakh building workers through DBT.
Action has already been initiated to transfer Rs 2,000 tothe accounts of the remaining four lakh construction workerssoon after verifying beneficiaries bank account details.
In addition to this, the government has decided totransfer additional amount of Rs 3,000 to building workersthrough DBT.
The above compensation would be provided with anestimated cost of Rs 1,610.00 crore, which would help thosewho are in distress due to lockdown , the Chief Ministeradded. KSU RSROH ROH
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