In the backdrop of the coronavirus (Covid-19) scare affecting the livelihoods of daily wage earners due to slowing down of the economy, the state governments across the country have stepped up to give unemployment benefits to daily wage workers in the state, who stand to lose employment during the current coronavirus-linked slowdown.

From free ration to cash in bank accounts, UP, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat are among a number of states that have stepped up to help the unorganised labour sector — construction workers to street vendors —get by way of weeks without work underneath the coronavirus lockdown.

In most of those states, the employees will get Rs 1,000-1,500 as one-time reduction by way of direct money transfers, other than ration help. India’s unorganised workers make up 82.7 percent or 39.14 crores of the total 47.41 crores estimated employed persons, according to last NSSO Employment and Unemployment Survey, 2011-12.

Uttar Pradesh – Rs 235 crore by March 31

Benefit: Rs 1,000 per month for daily wage labourers, rickshaw pullers and street vendors, etc., under the Shramik Bharan Poshan Yojna for about 35 lakh beneficiaries — the scheme was launched on Tuesday to cover the lockdown.

Process: The money will be transferred to bank accounts of beneficiaries. About 5.97 lakh labourers, of the 20.37 lakh registered with the state, do not have bank accounts and officials have been instructed to help them.

The Urban Development Department has been asked to prepare a database in two weeks of an estimated 15,000 street vendors and rickshaw pullers to be included in the scheme for which Rs 235 crore will be utilized within March 31.

Andhra Pradesh – Rs 1,000 for Covid-hit daily wagers, auto & cab drivers

Benefit: Rs 1,000 per family during lockdown for BPL holders, daily wagers, autorickshaw and cab drivers, weavers, cobblers, construction workers, labourers, and others in the unorganised sector. Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan

Reddy said Rs 1,500 crore has been set aside for this package.

Process: Beneficiaries in these segments had been identified for schemes announced earlier by the YSRCP during the state poll campaign last year. The benefit will be delivered in cash within April 4 at doorsteps by village and ward volunteers, along with ration rice, 1-kg dal, oil, and salt.

Gujarat – Free ration for 60 lakh families

Benefit: Free ration, including foodgrains, for daily wagers — about 60 lakh families consisting of 3.25 crore people — from April 1. Each person will get 3.5 kg of wheat and 1.5 kg of rice, and every family 1 kg each of sugar, dal, and salt.

Process: Rations will be distributed through fair price shops that are part of the Public Distribution System. Rations have already been sent to at least 3,500 of the 17,000 fair price shops. The distribution will be carried out in a phased manner to prevent crowding at these shops.

Telangana – Rs 1,500 per household

Profit: Rs 1,500 per household for white ration-card holders, BPL households, unorganised sector employees, and many others. They may even get 12 kg of free rice as a substitute of 6 kg for April. Telangana has put aside Rs 2,417 crore — Rs 1,103 crore for 3.36 lakh tonnes of rice and Rs 1,314 crore for the compensation.

Course of: Primarily based on white ration playing cards, and a ‘Complete Family Survey’ performed in 2014. The cash shall be credited immediately in financial institution accounts of beneficiaries from March 30.

Rajasthan – Rs 1,000 for Covid-hit labourers, distributors

Profit: Rs 1,000 every to 25 lakh building employees and registered road distributors not lined underneath the social safety pension scheme. The reduction shall be prolonged to 36.51 lakh BPL, state BPL, and Antyodaya beneficiaries. The compensation is a part of a Rs 2,000-crore reduction bundle.

Course of: Beneficiaries shall be recognized by district administrations and Social Justice Division, and funds performed by way of Direct Profit Switch (DBT) to financial institution accounts linked to Jan Aadhaar numbers.

Jammu & Kashmir – Rs 1,000 for building employees

Profit: Rs 1,000 every for 3.5 lakh individuals registered with the Constructing & Different Development Staff Welfare Board for the buy of ration through the lockdown. All 2.26 lakh employees within the unorganised sector registered underneath the Workers’ State Insurance coverage Company (ESIC) scheme will get the reduction, together with wages.

Course of: The beneficiaries shall be recognized by the Labour & Employment Division.

Uttarakhand – Rs 1,000 for distributors

Profit: Rs 1,000 every for non-registered labourers, street-shop house owners, fruit and vegetable distributors, and everyday wagers. The federal government will utilize Rs 30 crore from the Chief Minister’s Aid Fund.

Course of: District Magistrates and native labour officers will conduct surveys in every district to determine beneficiaries who obtain the cash, both by way of their financial institution accounts or in money.

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