Kumaraguru Action for Relief and Empowerment (KARE), was founded in Nov 2015 during the Chennai floods. KARE supports the victims of natural disasters such as floods, cyclones, and other calamities and has supported during Kerala floods & Gaja Cyclone. This is a volunteer movement of Kumaraguru Institutions where many join hands when the need arises.

KARE COVID 19 Response Bulletin is an effort by a group of Kumaraguru alumni, students & informed citizens alike to clear the clutter around COVID 19 by providing informative, insightful news, articles & data around the world under various tags such as Research, Technology, Education, Economy & Insights with a short summary for each.
 COVID19 Basic Info & Previous Bulletin Link: tinyurl.com/blog-KARE


What is Aatma Nirbhar ?

‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ – Self-reliant India Campaign 
The Aatma Nirbhar is a Stimulus Package initiated by the government of India to boost back the economy from the biggest economic crisis since 1979 triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent 54-day lockdown – one of the harshest in the world. The Package is currently limited to 11% of GDP. The package was announced in 5 tranches, with each one highlighting various sectors and pillars of our economy:

  • Tranche 1: Businesses including MSMEs
  • Tranche 2: Poor, including migrants and farmers
  • Tranche 3: Agriculture
  • Tranche 4: New Horizons of Growth
  • Tranche 5: Government Reforms and Enablers

How will the Government resource 20 lakh Crore?

The Rs 20-lakh crore package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi sounds big but will burn only a small hole in the government’s finances. A large part of it, or as much as Rs 8.04 lakh crore, is additional liquidity injected into the system by the Reserve Bank of India through various measures in February, March and April.

How much is the World spending on the stimulus Packages?

The Countries above have initiated Stimulus Package as well, the above bar chart shows the percent of Gross Domestic Product of Countries announced as the Stimulus Package. Even though in terms of percentage the Indian apportion looks like a huge sum comparatively, the chart below shows the comparison with reference to USDs and we are at the lower end.

This simple depiction shows the economic gap between India and the other global powers. Simply put, 2.2% of China’s GDP is 80% more than 10% of India’s GDP.

The Break Down of the 20 Lakh Crore

  • Part 1 : Businesses including MSMEs  
  • Part 2 : Poor, Including Migrants and Farmers
  • Part 3 : Agriculture
  • Part 4 and 5 : New Horizons for growth and Government Reforms & Enablers

The Table and the Treemap chart when read simultaneously show the allocation of funds to various parts and in simpler terms. The treemap shows us a simpler breakdown of the allocation of the spending.

Highlights and Glimpses of Aatma Nirbhar 2020

FROM THE PM’S DESK

Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his address to the nation conveyed the following messages. He remarked that self-reliance will prepare the country for tough competition in the global supply chain, and it is important that the country wins this competition. The same has been kept in mind while preparing the package to move forward with confidence towards self-reliance. He also requested the Indian citizens to make sure that they buy Indian products. He stated that its time to become vocal about local products and stressed the importance of globalization.

He laid down five pillars of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.

He also announced a total package worth of Rs.20 lakh crores which is equivalent to 10% of India’s GDP for the benefit of people. The important reforms are briefly explained in the following segments.


The RBI Reforms

Reduction in Cash Reserve Ratio increasing liquidity, new regulations have been drawn for Marginal Standing Facility for Banks and Special Liquidity Facility for Mutual Funds. A moratorium is allowed for payment of installments and interest for certain term loans. Thus, facilitating better cash in hand for other means of essential disposals. The Ways and Means advances lent to states has been raised by 60% to facilitate increased state spending.


Pradanmantri Garib Kalyan Yojana

Prime minister’s welfare scheme for the Poor(PMGKY) :
PMGKY which is already focusing on the welfare of the poor is now granted with an increase of 1.70lakh crore that focuses on the 80-crore people with a provision of 5 kg wheat/rice and pulses to an individual also with gas cylinders given free for 8 crore families.

MNREGA Wage
Before Aatma Nirbhar (Rs.)After Aatma Nirbhar (Rs.)
182202

 This MNREGA wage increase benefits for 13.62 crore families, workers earning below Rs.15000/m are provided with 24% of their income of 3 months. Widows, poor senior citizens are given Rs.1000 as Ex-gratia. Rs.2000 for farmers benefiting 8.7 crores.


MSME loans and equity

Considering the huge losses incurred by the MSME(s) due to the unforeseen pandemic, the Union Cabinet on 21 May 2020 agreed to allocate Rs. 3 crore towards the same; with specific allocations including subordinate debt for the stressed enterprises, with loans at 9.25% interest. With certain special provisions taken to increase the amount in the hands of MSMEs under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (under the Company Law), the situation is expected to improve.


Employee Benefits

To Increase cash at the hand of employees, the statutory PF contribution of both employer and employee will be reduced to 10% each from 12% for the next 3 months except for CPSEs and PSUs. 24% of monthly wages to be credited into their PF accounts for the next three months for wage-earners below Rs 15,000 p.m. in businesses having less than 100 workers. Workers registered under the Employee Provident Fund to get a non-refundable advance of 75% of the amount of three-month wages, whichever is lower.


Non-Banking Finance Corporations

Special Liquidity Scheme investment will be made in both primary and secondary markets allowing the flow of funds. The Securities will be fully guaranteed by the GoI. To create fresh lending into the market for business to run, under partial credit guarantee 2.0  first 20% loss of NBFCs is covered by the GoI. This will provide liquidity support and create confidence in the market. It is expected to systematically enable continuous funding for sustaining consumption demand and capital formation in the small and medium segment. Along with above NBFCs Will supplement RBI/Government measures to augment liquidity.


Real Estate

The following relaxations are given to the stakeholders  in the real estate sector

  • Real estate developers will get an extension by six months.
  • All pending Income Tax refunds will be paid immediately.
  • TDS, TCS rates have been reduced by 25 %.
  • Contractors will get an additional six months for completion of their works.
  • Contractors will get partial security release on the basis of work completion.

Income Tax 

  • TDS and TCS have been reduced by 25% on existing rates with effect from 14th May 2020 to 31st March 2021.
  • The Govt. has issued all the pending income-tax refunds up to ₹5 lakh, immediately benefiting around 14 lakh taxpayers
  • Direct Tax due dates for filing Return and audit has been extended to 30/11/2020 and 31/10/2020 respectively .

Farmers and Rural Economy

The important reforms for the farmers and the development of the rural economy under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat policy include the following points. These policies are expected to contribute towards a self-sustainable rural economy and boost the same through higher benefits for the Farmers.

  1. NABARD extending up to Rs30,000 crore for crop loan to the Rural Co-op Banks and RRBs.
  2. Rs. 2 lakh crore concessional credit for 2.5 crore farmers through Kisan Credit Cards.
  3. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana under which the farmers are to be paid Rs. 6400 cr.
  4. An agriculture fund of Rs. 1 lakh crore

Guest Labourers 

The government of India already with the eight schemes that were introduced under relief and rehabilitation of migrants and repatriates back in the year 2018, has now come up with new ideas under the   AatmaNirbhar.

State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) ordered to be utilized for food and shelter purposes of migrants. To cope with this fund, an addition of Rs. 11,002 crores to elevate SDRF on April 3rd, 2020. Shelters for Urban homeless being provided with 3 meals a day, also producing 3 crore masks and 1.2 lakh liters of sanitizers underemployment of Self-help groups (SHGs). PAiSA portal used for revolving funds practiced now in all states.



Street Vendors

Keeping in mind the financial crisis of street vendors and increasingly inhuman activities done towards them (like stealing items on an unguarded cart), the government has taken the following decision which includes providing an Rs.10,000 loan to close to poverty-stricken 50 lakh street vendors whose livelihoods have been adversely affected.


Food

  • The scheme promotes the vision of ‘Vocal for Local with Global outreach’.
  • Unorganized MFEs units need technical up-gradation to attain FSSAI food standards.
  • Existing micro food enterprises, Farmer Producer Organizations, Self Help Groups, and Cooperatives to be supported.
  • Cluster-based approach 
  • Expected outcomes: Improved health and safety standards, integration with retail markets, improved incomes.
  • It will also Enable reaching untapped export markets in view of improved health consciousness.

Essential Commodities 

Amendments to the Essential Commodities Act to enable better price realization
No stock limit for processors or value chain participants, subject to installed capacity or to any exporter subject to the demand. Stock limits to be imposed under exceptional circumstances like national calamities, famine with a surge in prices.


Investments

Foreign Direct Investments contribute massively towards the annual GDP of India; However, the chances of it to contribute higher economically has increased from 49% to 74%. And where the investments within the country are concerned, the Atma Nirbhar Bharat policy reforms to fast track investments along with a project development cell to be set up in each ministry to prepare investable projects and coordinate with investors and state governments, indulging in them the sense of healthy competition as well.


Industrial Infrastructure

The economy desperately needing the industrial sector advancements to become a developed nation, has been noted and focused by the government in this 20-lakh crore AatmaNirbhar scheme.

Industrialization helping in all fields has brought up a challenge mode system in all states for common infrastructure development. They have also promised the availability of industrial land. The industrial information system (IIS) has been updated with 3376 industrial parks and activities calculating 5 lakh hectares mapped. 

The Above Graph indicates the One-year growth of the industrial sector of India and there is a declining trend which is speculated to change trend post the stimulus investment.


Defence

With the COVID-19 pandemic rightly said to be the “biggest invisible war” in several decades by Rajnath Singh, considerable actions have been taken to ensure the security of the Armed Forces and the country as such which has to be prepared for any sort of widespread violations along the Line of Control (LoC) at this situation.

The three specific announcements made for “Self Reliance in Defence” as given by the Finance Minister include : 
1. A list of weapons/platform for “ban on import”
2. Establishment of Corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB)
3. FDI limits in defense manufacturing.
Additional measures include a realistic setting of General Staff Qualitative Requirements for weapons.


Privatization

  • All sectors will be now opened for Private Sectors, while PSEs will play an important role in areas yet to be defined by the government.
  • In Strategic sectors, at least one enterprise would be public.
  • The number of enterprises to be reduced and brought under existing PSUs.

Education

With the largest & youngest population of the world, the importance of stepping up the quality and availability of education has increased in view of this epidemic. Some of the reforms of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat policy include the following.

  • The PM e VIDYA multi-mode access to online education will be launched which includes e-content and QR codes Energized Textbook.
  • Top 100 universities to start online courses by 30th May 2020.
  • National Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Mission to be launched by December 20.

Where can we get authentic information about coronavirus?

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KARE COVID19 Response 

KARE is now supporting the front-line workers through local government by providing Food, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & sanitizers made in-house at the Kumaraguru Institutions. KARE is also connecting the farmers with communities who would required vegetables in bulk.

Report as on 31.05.2020

  • 40038 Cooked meals
  • 2259 Volunteering hours clocked
  • 10 Tons of Vegetables transacted so far
  • 28+ Number of Farmers impacted so far
  • 500kg Rice
  • 1200 Liquid sanitizer packs
  • 2500 Masks
  • ₹ 4,95,141 Funds Raised
  • ₹ 6,50,000 Funds Spent
  • 57000+  Lives Impacted

Impact areas: 

Chinnavedampatti, Saravanampatty, Vellaikinar, Sathyamangalam, Sulthanpet, Paapampatti, Sulur, Thondamuthur, Narasipuram, Kangayam, Coimbatore & Pollachi.

KARE Bank Account Details

Account name: KCT KARE
Account number: 1245155000078376
Bank: Karur Vysya Bank
Branch: KCT Extension Counter
IFSC: KVBL0001245
Bank address: Kumaraguru College of Technology, Chinnavedampatti,Coimbatore – 641036