India, March 26 -- Food and cashtransfer announced under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a special package to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19):

* Rs 50 lakh cover for two million frontline workers such as paramedics, sanitation workers, ASHA workers, etc.

* Free 5 kg cereal (rice / wheat) per person per month; 1 kg pulses (differing according to regions) per household per month for the next three months.

* The allotment, expected to benefit 800 million families, can be collected in two instalments.

* Sitharaman announced a Rs 1.7 lakh crore package to benefit eight categories.

* First PM-KISAN instalment of Rs 2,000 per indivisdual to be released at the beginning of th...