dpa
New Delhi
India on Monday unveiled several new schemes, including those focusing on health and tourism, to boost the economy and provide relief to businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the government will expand its emergency credit scheme for small businesses to 4.5 trillion rupees (60.6 billion dollars) from the earlier limit of 3 trillion rupees.
The government will also provide guarantees of 1.1 trillion rupees on loans to the pandemic-hit health sector and medical infrastructure, she said.
Sitharaman announced an additional 230 billion rupees for public health. This amount will be utilized to prepare for short-term emergencies and improve paediatric care facilities.
The measures were announced at a time when the Indian economy has been battered by a second virulent wave of the pandemic. India reported 46,148 fresh Covid-19 cases and 979 deaths in 24 hours, official data showed on Monday.
The minister also promised to provide support to the badly hit tourism sector by extending loans to travel agencies and tourist guides.
Tourist visas will be provided free to the first 500,000 tourists when the sector opens up for business.
The government extended schemes for employment generation and promoting manufacturing in the country.
New Delhi
India on Monday unveiled several new schemes, including those focusing on health and tourism, to boost the economy and provide relief to businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the government will expand its emergency credit scheme for small businesses to 4.5 trillion rupees (60.6 billion dollars) from the earlier limit of 3 trillion rupees.
The government will also provide guarantees of 1.1 trillion rupees on loans to the pandemic-hit health sector and medical infrastructure, she said.
Sitharaman announced an additional 230 billion rupees for public health. This amount will be utilized to prepare for short-term emergencies and improve paediatric care facilities.
The measures were announced at a time when the Indian economy has been battered by a second virulent wave of the pandemic. India reported 46,148 fresh Covid-19 cases and 979 deaths in 24 hours, official data showed on Monday.
The minister also promised to provide support to the badly hit tourism sector by extending loans to travel agencies and tourist guides.
Tourist visas will be provided free to the first 500,000 tourists when the sector opens up for business.
The government extended schemes for employment generation and promoting manufacturing in the country.