Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman recently conducted a review meeting with the representatives of civil aviation, tourism, animal husbandry and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) in order to assess the impact of Coronavirus on these sectors.
The government on basis of the recommendations of these sectors will try and announce a relief package for Coronavirus-affected sectors, informed Sitharaman. Further she said that the finance ministry is compiling recommendations and likewise the further course of action to deal with the crisis will be discussed in an internal meeting to be held on 21st March, 2020.
The finance minister also informed that the task force announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is yet to be set up. “The task force is yet to be constituted. But keeping in mind the urgency of the situation, we are holding the meetings. Of course, the task force when it is constituted will also get the benefit of these discussions,” said, Sitharaman. Besides, she also refused to commit a deadline for the response package to be announced by the government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation on Thursday evening said he has constituted the task force under Sitharaman to finalise a set of measures needed to reduce the economic difficulties.
“This global pandemic is also going to have a wide-ranging impact on the economy. This Task Force will take decisions in the near future, based on regular interactions and feedback from all stakeholders, and analysis of all situations and dimensions. This Task Force will also ensure that all steps taken to reduce the economic difficulties are effectively implemented,” Modi added.
