Union Cabinet approves Rs 6.29 lakh crore Covid-19 economic relief package

In a bid to revive the economy affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Union Cabinet has approved the Rs 6.29 lakh crore relief package announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman earlier this week.

New Delhi:The Union Cabinet has approved the Rs 6.29 lakh crore economic relief package announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman earlier this week. The approval was given at a meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Briefing media on the Cabinet's decisions in the national capital on Wednesday, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Javadekar said the Cabinet which met earlier today gave its approval for the latest relief measures for the Covid-19 affected sectors of the economy.

In a bid to revive the economy battered by a severe second wave of Covid-19, Sitharaman on Monday unveiled a relief package for the revival of sectors like tourism, agriculture, MSMEs, power distribution, and exports.

Besides, the minister announced Rs 23,220 crore to set up paediatric beds and facilities across the country. This funding was sanctioned as some experts have warned that a third COVID wave may affect children more than adults.

Implementation of BharatNet through PPP mode

In a major boost for Digital India initiative, the Union Cabinet approved BharatNet implementation strategy through public private partnership (PPP) Model to cover over 2 lakh villages spread across 16 States in the country.

Announcing the decision, Union Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Cabinet has approved Rs 19,041 crore funding for the project and this will stimulate an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore. According to the minister, the BharatNet will help citizens in rural areas in accessing tele-education and tele-medicine services.

The minister further said the decision to involve private players was taken after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on August 15, 2020 that around 6 lakh villages in the country will be connected with broadband in 1,000 days.

Till May 31, 2021, over 1.56 lakh out of the 2.5 lakh gram panchayats have been connected with broadband by May 31, 2021.