The government has announced five new stimulus packages involving Tk 3,200 crore to help low-income people hit hard by restrictions imposed to control further transmission of coronavirus .
Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim confirmed the announcement of the incentive package on Tuesday.
He told reporters on Tuesday that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced five incentives packages worth Tk 3,200 crore for the low income people, who are affected by the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
Among the five new stimulus packages, the first package is for day -labourers, transport workers, small traders and shipping workers.
In this case, Tk 450 crore has been allocated against 17,24,470 beneficiaries.
Under this package, day-labourers ( 14,37,389), transport workers ( 2,35,033), small traders (50,445) and river-transport workers (1,603) will be given cash at the rate of Tk 2,500 each.
Under the second package, special OMS activities will be conducted at 813 centres across the country. The total allocation has been Tk 150 crore.
The programme will be conducted for 14 days from July 25 to August 7 to help low-income people in urban areas. 20,000 metric tonnes of rice and 14,000 metric tonnes of Wheat flour have been allocated for this programme.
Under the third package, special allocation has been made in favour of Deputy Commissioners (DCs).
This package is basically to provide food assistance in response to the request of the public by calling 333 number. A total of Tk 100 crore has been allocated for this.
Under the fourth package, an additional Tk 1,500 crore has been allocated to provide loan assistance at four percent interest through Palli Sanchay Bank, Karmasangsthan Bank and Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) to finance job creation activities in rural areas.
Earlier, the Prime Minister had allocated Tk 3,200 crore in this sector.
Under the fifth package, Tk 1,000 crore has been allocated in favour of the tourism sector.
Under this, working capital loan assistance at 4 percent interest will be provided through the banking system to pay the salaries and allowances of the employees of hotels, motels and theme parks in the tourism sector.
However, the government on Tuesday announced another two weeks of strict lockdown from July 23 after restrictions will be eased for a week from 14 July to facilitate trades and economic activities centring Eid-ul-Azha.
Besides, a new set of restrictions will be imposed following the relaxation from July 23 to August 5.
