New Delhi: The Government of India on Thursday cleared a Rs 15,000 crore emergency package for states to strengthen the fight against the novel coronavirus.
According to a press statement, the funds will be utilized for immediate COVID-19 Emergency Response (Rs 7774 crores) and the rest for medium-term support (1-4 years) to be provided under mission mode approach.
This announcement will come as a relief for several states which have been asking for more Central funds. The costs have been rising alarmingly as COVID-19 spreads across the country. Thursday was the 16th day of the nationwide lockdown.
The three-week lockdown ends on April 14, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hinted that it will have to be extended. Odisha on Thursday became the first state to extend the lockdown, till April 30.
