Karnataka govt announces 3rd lockdown relief package worth Rs 512 cr

Bengaluru, May 15 () The Karnataka government onFriday announced a third economic package worth about Rs 512crore, giving relief to maize farmers and incentivising ASHAworkers, at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19.While around 10 lakh maize farmers will get Rs 5,000each, the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workerswould get an incentive of Rs 3,000 each through cooperativeinstitutions, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa saiud. "About 10 lakh maize farmers are suffering as they are notgetting proper price, that is why I have decided to give Rs5,000 relief to each farmer, it is about Rs 500 crorecommitment," he told reporters here. He said there were about 40,250 ASHA workers in the stateand each would get Rs 3,000 each, which will add up to aboutRs 12.50 crore. "Despite the state financial condition being not good wehave already announced financial packages for those indistress. First one was Rs 1,610 crore, second was Rs 162core, this is the third one," he added. The Yediyurappa-led BJP government on Thursday hadannounced a Rs 162 crore financial relief package forvegetable and fruit growers and weavers of power looms, whoare in distress because of COVID-19 induced lockdown. Last week it announced Rs 1,610 crore relief package whichincluded cash assistance of Rs 5,000 each to thousands ofwashermen, barbers, auto rickshaw and taxi drivers, whose lifehas been affected by the lockdown. The package also included relief to farmers, flowergrowers, certain relaxation in electricity bills for MSMEs andlarge industries, Rs 2,000 for handloom weavers, and Rs 3,000to building workers. Yediyurappa on Friday also assured all possible assistanceto the farming community, once the coronavirus crisis wasovercome. "Farmers are my government's priority. If farmer is happyevery one is happy. As farmers are in distress, despitefinancial situation being not so good, we have announced thisdecision of Rs 5000 to maize farmers. Money will reach themsoon," he added. KSUVS VS