Financial vaccine would restore and revive lives at the bottom of the pyramid: Dr Hiranandani

 

 

The COVID infected economy got the second dose from the finance ministry and would boost the immunity of some of the most underprivileged sections of the society that is the farmers, laborers, street vendors and the tribals, stated Dr Niranjan Hiranandani, President, ASSOCHAM and NAREDCO.

 

“Some measures like the extension of interest subvention for existing loans to small farmers till 31 May 2020, and sanctioning of 22 lakh new Kisan Credit Cards will ease the liquidity crisis that the marginalized farmers and rural economy is struggling with,” said Dr. Hiranandani.

 

As the agriculture sector is the third largest contributor to the GDP and also the highest employment generator with 43 percent workforce dependent on it has been rightly given the maximum prominence in this leg of measures, he said.

 

According to Dr. Hiranandani, the other measures taken by the government that includes approval additional loans for the agriculture sector, refinancing of existing loans and support of additional funds for rural infrastructure is a step in the right direction to revive the rural economy.

 

“The government has also sanctioned a corpus of Rs 6,700 crore for state agencies for agricultural produce procurement. Through these measures, the finance ministry has taken an honest step to provide liquidity support to the rural economy,” Dr Hiranandani added.

 

For migrant workers who have faced the maximum brunt due to this ongoing lockdown the government has notified this fact and have taken steps like “One nation one Ration card scheme’, the continuation of MNREGA scheme during monsoon, provision of food and shelter, increasing the average wage rates to ease the stress that this section of the society is facing,” explained Dr. Hiranandani.

 

The Special credit facility of Rs 5,000 crore for 50 lakh street vendors to provide them with Initial working capital of up to Rs 10,000 will give a lifeline to them and help them restart their source of livelihood, which no government has done till date,” he added.

 

“The Central government’s move to initiate projects worth Rs 6000 crore to provide jobs for Adivasis and tribals is a step in the right direction,” he explained.