How Much India's Coronavirus Relief Package Helps The Poor?

April 6, 2020

Thousands of migrant workers were seen walking back to their hometowns on Delhi-UP border after the lockdown was announced. On 26th March, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a COVID-19 Economic Relief Package worth 1.7 lakh crore to help the country get through the pandemic. The package announced a handful of measures including insurance for health care workers, ration distribution and direct cash transfers to help those hit the hardest. How much does this package help the daily wage migrant workers? A large number of academics and activists put together a response. Anindita Adhikari, one of the members, helps us decode the relief package.