Bengaluru The State government on Monday announced a compensation of ₹1 lakh each to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families that have lost adult members to COVID-19.
Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa told reporters that the government was aware that many families have been going through trying times following the death of earning members. “In light of many such cases coming to the notice of the government, we have decided to compensate the families that have lost an adult member to the pandemic. Each family is eligible for ₹1 lakh,” he said.
Claiming that Karnataka would be the first State to offer such a compensation, he said it would cost the exchequer between ₹250 crore and ₹300 crore while bringing relief to about 30,000 people.
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When the Chief Minister was asked about the financial status of the State, he said the fact that the government had announced a compensation of ₹1 lakh to each family showed that the State’s finances were better now. The government had earlier announced packages for unorganised workers, farmers, and other sections hit by the lockdown.
On Monday, government also announced a relief of ₹5,000 each to about 384 registered tourist guides across the State who have been hit hard by the pandemic and the suspension of tourism activities.
The announcement came from Tourism Minister C.P. Yogeshwar, who said that discussions were on to provide ₹3,000 COVID-19 relief to those employed in hotels.
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Stakeholders in the tourism industry, who met the Minister, urged the government to waive property tax, allow payment of excise licence fee in two instalments, and rebate in power tariff. The industry has also sought the lifting of restrictions on hotels and allowing them to function by June 21.