Amid the measures taken to curb the spread of coronavirus in the country, the government has also announced financial aid to unorganised construction workers who are likely to be severely affected by the lockdown.
The Ministry of Labour stated that it would utilise the cess fund of Rs 52,000 crore to provide relief to the construction workers through direct benefit transfer (DBT).
The notification stated that Rs 52,000 crore is available in the cess fund and around 3.5 construction workers are registered with the construction welfare boards. However, the ministry is yet to clarify how much every construction worker will receive.
This notification comes after PM Modi announced a 21-day long lockdown in the country from March 25. Unorganised sector workers including construction workers would be severely impacted during this lockdown period.
Following PM’s address to the nation, former Finance Minister P Chidambaram said that while the lockdown is necessary, PM Modi needs to answer who is going to provide money to the poor that they would need for the next 21 days.
The Prime Minister announced Rs 15,000 crore to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in the country.
In his address to the nation, PM Modi said that the fund will be used to develop health infrastructure, increase the number of beds, testing kits, and even training of professionals to combat the disease.