Karnataka Chief Minister on Tuesday announced a Rs 2,000 subsidy for over 2 lakh registered street vendors throughout the state under the Deendayal Antyodaya (national urban livelihood) plan as part of the state’s economic relief package for the Covid-affected. The plan was created in consideration with skill development, entrepreneurship, and livelihood development.
“The subsidy is a gesture to the thousands of street vendors whose livelihoods have been impacted by the second wave of Covid and the extended lockdown enforced across the state since April 27 to restrict the virus’s spread,” the Chief Minister said in a statement.In a study conducted by urban local governments across the state, Social Welfare Department found 2,16,439 street vendors.The CM stated, “The vendors have been provided an identification card, certificate, and facilities to do their business in their respective sites.” Under the social security plan, the subsidy amount is credited to each vendor’s bank account.“During the first wave of the epidemic last year, the sellers were granted Rs 10,000 apiece as micro credit under the Prime Minister’s Street Vendor’s Atmanirbhar Nidhi initiative, totaling Rs 107.92 crore,” according to the statement.
During the first wave of Covid, a total of Rs 38.33 crore was transferred into the bank accounts of 1,91,684 vendors via direct benefit transfer, CM stated.
The state government has also instructed banks not to apply the incentive to vendor loans used to expand their businesses.
Last year, the state government provided Rs 1,700 crore in assistance to daily wagers, construction workers, farmers, teachers, Asha workers, priests, and others, after the epidemic claimed the lives and livelihoods of lakhs of people.
The Chief Minister has also ordered that all street sellers be vaccinated as soon as possible since they are at risk of getting and spreading the virus.
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