NEW DELHI : When Centre declared lockdown for the nation, Kerala was the first State to announce relief measures and guarantee its people that nobody within its borders will go hungry. Extensive shelters, covid care centres, free rations, relief money and setiing up of over 1000 community kitchens across the state were immediate measures adopted to protect the people in Kerala from onslaught of lockdown and covid.
In fact, in the initial days other States and Centre did not fundamentally grasp the serious implications lockdown held for their people. Later as crisis caught on, Delhi began by creating shelters for migrant workers on Kerala model and so forth. Other States too then patterned after Kerala. Here’s how ::
· * Tamil Nadu announced Rs 3280 crore relief package. Rs. 1000 to be given to each ration card holder there. Free rice and provisions. Workers in unorganized sector to get 15 kilo rice. Food at Amma canteens.
· * Punjab announced Rs 3000 to all registered workers and free rations for daily wage earners.
* Night shelters were set up in Delhi at govt-run schools with lodging and free food.
* Odisha will dedicate two hospitals for Covid care. Paid four-month advance salaries for doctors, medical and paramedical staff.
* UP to give Rs 1000 to each of registered workers in the State. Free rations for the poor. Social welfare pension for widows, differently abled and elderly citizens.
* 10 lakh families in Gujarat to get 3.5 kilo wheat, 15 kg rice, 1 kg green gram, oil, salt and sugar free against ration card.
* Telangana announces Rs 500 to each migrant worker apart from 12 kilo rice and free meals at Annapurna canteens.
* Maharashtra mulling to pay relief directly into bank accounts of workers numbering approx 12 lakhs.
* Rajasthan announces Rs 2,000 crore package. Will also pay social welfare pensions to roughly 78 lakh people in the State. 36 lakh families to receive Rs 1000 each.
* Rations for April free in Haryana. Families under PM ‘s Parivar Samrudhi Scheme to receive Rs 4000 each.
* Rations to be home-delivered at homes of students in Andhra Pradesh. A volunteer chain comprising 2.5 care workers formed.
* BJP-ruled states of M.P and Karnataka are yet to announce relief package.
