14th May 2020 11:05:PM Editorials
Eastern Sentinel Arunachal News

Amid much ‘critical analysis’ that was going on regarding the first instalment of the Rs 20 lakh crore economic relief package spearheaded by the opposition where the principal ‘charge’ was prolonged apathy on part of the government in mitigating the woes of the lockdown’s worst-affected which comprises the poorest layer inclusive of migrant daily wage earners, the FM finally on Thursday, put forward a host of proposals for addressing them. It’s clear that intended beneficiaries are migrant workers, street vendors, small farmers, lower middle class and the self-employed and a quite a number of measures have been included to pull out this severely-hit segment which actually forms the bulk of national population. But, despite the egalitarian objectives, it will not be too harsh to point out that, it would have been more welcoming if there were provisions for fast cash transfers into the hands of these sufferers. This issue, even though has been doing the rounds for quite some time and gained currency, has sadly remained untouched this time too.
Coming to the core aspects, the decision of giving free food grains to an estimated eight crore migrant workers for next two months involving a cost of Rs 3,500 crore, irrespective of possession of either Central or State PDS ration card will be a great relief indeed. Furthermore, giving effect to the concept of ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ which would allow migrant workers to use their ration cards across states, bringing immediately under its net a 67-crore strong beneficiaries or 83% of the total PDS pie by August and setting of the target of reaching a 100% coverage by March 2021 is a constructive move, judging both the present situation and the approaching time. Here, it must be mentioned that, since it is an ad hoc plan with a 2-month time frame, the Centre must mull the idea of extending the period to as many months as dictated by the evolving circumstances, as it can be reasonably presumed that there are high chances that the pandemic as well as its negative effects will not evaporate immediately after this time limit.
Rs 30,000-crore additional emergency working capital funding through NABARD for farmers, 2% interest subvention on the small loans given under MUDRA scheme, affordable rental scheme under PMAY, Rs 5,000 crore special credit facility for 50 lakh street vendors, Rs 600 crore fund to boost tribal sector works, nearly Rs 2 lakh crore concessional credit for 2.5 crore farmers not having Kisan Credit Cards and various similar other measures have been announced.
But, at the end of the day, success quotient will solely depend on the collective skill of the bureaucracies of both the Centre and States regarding the schemes’ execution. The task is big and time too little. 


Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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