Punjab CM seeks cash transfers to migrant workers, poor

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday appealed to the Prime Minister for cash transfers to all migrant workers and poor, and providing greater employment to rural poor under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

"My appeal to PM Narendra Modi, seeking government of India's immediate intervention for cash transfer to all migrant workers and poor, providing greater employment to rural poor under MGNREGS and financial assistance for MSMEs, other than loans," he said in a tweet.

Amid mounting economic woes, the Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday decided to seek a fiscal stimulus of Rs 51,102 crore from the Centre to help the state tide over the financial crisis triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic and the prolonged lockdown that ensued.

To contain the contagion in the rural areas, assistance of Rs 5,068 crore has been sought by the state in a draft memorandum for liquid and solid waste management in the villages, in addition to the upward revision of capital outlay and targets under MGNREGA.

For urban development, the state has proposed a National Urban Employment Guarantee Act (NUEGA) to guarantee employment in urban areas, along with an additional capital outlay of Rs 2,302 crore under schemes like AMRUT, Smart City, PMAY etc, with certain relaxations.

( With inputs from IANS )