COVID-19 causing financial stress to poor, ration per person increased: Kejriwal

The Delhi government on Saturday said the novel coronavirus was causing terrible financial stress to the poor and announced that those receiving ration from fair-price shops would get 50 per cent extra for next month.

During his first-ever digital-only press conference, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal doubled the pension for widows, differently-abled and elderly for this month.

Urging people to stay indoors, Kejriwal said the government had not imposed a lockdown in Delhi for now, but would have to do it if the need arises in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.

"We are extremely concerned about daily wagers, labourers who have been hit hard over the coronavirus crisis; don't want anyone to go hungry," he said, adding that lunch and dinner would be provided for homeless in night shelters.

The chief minister said restrictions due to COVID-19 were causing terrible financial stress to the poor.

"Seventy-two lakh people in Delhi get ration from fair price shops. Ration per person is being increased by 50 per cent. It will be provided free," Kejriwal said.

The government has doubled the pension for widows, differently-abled and the elderly for this month, he said, adding that would benefit 8.5-lakh beneficiaries.

"The government has also reduced the size of social, religious and political gatherings to not more than five people," Kejriwal said. "It has not imposed a lockdown in Delhi for now, but will have to do it if the need arises."