Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan - COVID-19 Relief Package

The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the Indian economy and society in varied ways. In this article, you can read the details of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan – which is the name given to the full-fledged economic stimulus package announced by the Union Government.

The government had initially announced the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) as interim measures for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (meaning self-reliant India scheme) was announced in four tranches by the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in May 2020.

The economic stimulus relief package announced by the government is touted to be worth Rs.20 Lakh crores. This includes the already announced Rs 1.70 lakh crore relief package, as the PMGKY, for the poor to overcome difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown imposed to check its spread.

5 Important Facts about Atmanirbhar Bharat Scheme

1. The Prime Minister announced that an Atmanirbhar Bharat or a self-reliant India should stand on the following five pillars:
   
   1. Economy
   2. Infrastructure
   3. 21st century technology driven arrangements and system
   4. Demand
   5. Vibrant Demography
2. The 20 lakh crore worth package is almost 10% of the GDP of the country.
3. The package emphasises on land, labour, liquidity and laws.
4. The package includes measures across many sectors such as MSME, cottage industries, middle class, migrants, industry, etc.
5. Several reforms are announced to make India a self-reliant economy and mitigate negative effects in the future. Some of the reforms are:
1. Simple and clear laws
2. Rational taxation system
3. Supply chain reforms in agriculture
4. Capable human resources
5. Robust financial system

Let’s take a look at how India’s relief package stands in comparison to those announced by other countries:

The following Infographic explains the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan: