Central government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic (Jan 2020 - Apr 7, 2020)
Distilled Policy Brief
- Welfare measures included Rs 500 per month for women account holders under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, three free gas cylinders for poor families, and the establishment of the PM CARES Fund as a public charitable trust with 100% tax deduction on donations.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
Key mechanisms of Ways and Means Advances (WMA), Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) adjustments, and the legal status of the PM CARES Fund.
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Analyze the coordination between fiscal relief measures and monetary policy interventions during sudden macroeconomic shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Relief Package announced by the Central Government during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, consider the following statements: 1. An insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh was provided for healthcare workers, including ASHA workers, treating COVID-19 patients. 2. Poor families were eligible for 5 kg of wheat or rice and 1 kg of preferred pulses for free every month. 3. A financial assistance of Rs 500 per month was provided to all account holders under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- [A] 1 and 2 only
- [B] 2 and 3 only
- [C] 1 and 3 only
- [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Statements 1 and 2 are correct: The package offered an insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh to health workers (including doctors, nurses, paramedics, and ASHA workers) and provided 5 kg wheat/rice along with 1 kg preferred pulses free per month to poor families. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Rs 500 monthly transfer was specifically provided to women account holders under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, not all account holders.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.