Coronavirus lockdown: Rs 60k-crore income support plan for poor in works

The Narendra Modi government is said to be considering an income support scheme for those worst hit by the slump in economic activity owing to the coronavirus pandemic and the resultant nationwide lockdown.

The scheme could mean transferring Rs 5,000-6,000 into the bank accounts of 80-100 million poor families, Business Standard has learnt.

A one-time transfer of Rs 6,000 each into 100 million accounts will cost the exchequer Rs 60,000 crore. However, given how dynamic the situation is, officials are not yet willing to give the monetary size of the package.