(a) whether the Government has given any stimulus package to the States to meet the Covid-19 challenges;
(b) if so, the details of assistance under such packages given to various states so far; and
(c) the details of the criteria under which assistance has been given to the States?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)
(a) to (c): The Central Government, on 26th March, 2020 announced a relief package under the “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana”, totaling Rs.1.70 lakh crore for the poor to help them fight the battle against Corona Virus. Around 42 crore poor people have received financial assistance of Rs. 68, 820 crore under this scheme.
Central Government allowed the State Governments to use the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) on 14th March, 2020 for taking measures for quarantine facilities, sample, collection and screening,
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procurement of essential equipments/labs for COVID-19. Thereafter, on 28th March, 2020, Central Government also allowed State Governments to use SDRF for making provisions of temporary accommodation, food, clothing, medical care, etc., to homeless people including migrant labourers. To augment the funds with the States, Central Government released in advance Rs.11, 092 crores from the SDRF to the States on 3rd April, 2020.
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare approved the India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Package of Rs. 15,000 crores. The said Package seeks to support States/UTs in establishment of COVID dedicated facilities for treatment of COVID-19 cases including for critical care, enhancement in testing capacities, engagement and training of necessary human resources and procurement of essential equipment and protective gear for the health care personnel engaged in COVID-19 duties, etc.
Additionally, State Governments have been allowed additional borrowing limit of up to 2 percent of Gross State Domestic Product (GSPD) for the year 2020-21. As against the additional borrowing limit of 2% of GSDP, consent for borrowing of 0.50 percent of GSDP amounting to Rs. 1,06,830 crore has already been issued to the States to raise Open Market Borrowing (OMB) during the year 2020-21.
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