Unorganised sector in Karnataka gets 1,112cr relief package

BENGALURU: Ten days after imposing a complete lockdown, Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa on Wednesday announced a relief package of Rs 1,112 crore for those in distress due to the curbs. This includes a one-time Rs 3,000 cash assistance for workers in the unorganised sector, mainly taxi and autorickshaw drivers, and crop loss compensation for flower growers and horticulture farmers.
“We’ve done the best we could within financial constraints to alleviate the suffering of people,” Yediyurappa said. The CM said Rs 3,000 would be given to autorickshaw/ cab drivers and construction workers. Barbers, porters, tailors, ragpickers, potters, and roadside vendors would get Rs 2,000 each. “Around 7.2 lakh people will benefit and the amount will be transferred to bank accounts,” he said.