Centre offers further relief to farmers, tea plantation workers amid COVID-19 lockdown

The central government has granted a slew of exemptions and relaxations for the agricultural and agro-based sectors, aiming to provide further relief to farmers amid the ongoing 21-day lockdown over the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. A release by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) stated that the measures were taken so that the farmers do not suffer from any adverse fallout.

In this regard, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has issued the 4th Addendum to its notification invoking the Disaster Management Act. As per the addendum, shops of agricultural machinery, its spare parts (including its supply chain) and repairs and shops for truck repairs on highways, preferably at fuel pumps, can remain open in order to facilitate transportation of farm produce. Besides, the tea industry, including plantations can function with a maximum of 50% workers.

The Home Ministry has underlined that the head of the organisation/establishment will ensure the practice of social distancing norms and proper hygiene. The district authorities have been directed to ensure strict enforcement of the orders.

Earlier on Monday, the government had extended the benefit of 2% Interest Subvention (IS) to banks and 3% Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI) to all farmers up to May 31 for all crop loans up to Rs.3 lakh given by banks. This applies to the loans which have become due or are becoming due between March 1 - May 31.

The central government is also providing concessional crop loans to farmers through banks with 2% per annum interest subvention to banks and 3% additional benefit on timely repayment to farmers thus providing loans up to Rs.3 lakh at 4% per annum interest on timely repayment.

In light of the heightened concern on the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in India, the country has been placed under complete lockdown for 21 days. Authorities have asked citizens to maintain strict social distancing to cut the spread of the virus outbreak.

As of 6 PM on Saturday, around 3,000 people across India have been reported to have contracted the COVID-19 disease, as new cases were reported in states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Haryana on this day. The virus has affected over 11 lakh people worldwide. The global death toll has almost reached 60,000, according to the COVID-19 statistics center at the John Hopkins University.