The State government on Friday announced the third tranche of financial relief, providing ₹5,000 each for maize growers and one-time cash incentive of ₹3,000 for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs).
Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, who held a meeting with his Cabinet Ministers and senior officials, said there are 10 lakh maize growers in the State and the government would spend ₹500 crore to provide financial compensation.
Nearly 30% to 40% of the maize growers sold their produce at lower prices during the lockdown period. The government would provide relief to them, irrespective of whether they sold their produce or not, Mr. Yediyurappa said. All growers, irrespective of the size of holdings, would get the money. Maize is largely grown in districts such as Davangere, Haveri, Dharwad, Chitradurga, Shivamogga, Hassan, and Belagavi.
Mr. Yediyurappa announced ₹3,000 for each of the 40,250 ASHAs, who are among frontline workers in the effort to contain COVID-19. This would cost the State exchequer ₹12.5 crore.
The government also decided to give compensation of ₹5,000 to farmers in case of accidental death of sheep.
Total package
In the first phase, the government had announced a ₹1,610-crore package. In the second phase on Thursday, the Cabinet cleared ₹162-crore package for growers of fruits and vegetable and powerloom workers. With the third tranche, the total size of the package touches ₹2,284.5 crore.
Relaxation of norms
The State government said the Centre is expected to announce more relaxation in the COVID-19 lockdown norms from Monday. The third phase of lockdown is scheduled to end on Sunday.
“Let us wait for May 17. The Centre is expected to relax everything from May 18,” Mr. Yediyurappa said. Except five-star hotels, the Centre is expected to relax norms for others in hotel industry, gyms, and business establishments, he said.
