JAIPUR: The Rajasthan government Saturday said it has released an installment of Rs 500 each to 33 lakh families hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
"In this year's budget, it was announced to give Rs 1,000 to these families in two installments. First installment has been released," Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said in a tweet.
The state government had provided a financial assistance of Rs 3,500 in three installments last year to 33 lakh helpless, destitute and laborers' families affected by the coronavirus, he said.
He said the state government is with the people in this time of crisis.
"The funds have been deposited in the bank accounts of families. Those who do not have bank accounts, have been provided the relief amount in cash. In this difficult phase of Covid, the state government stands fully with the common people," he said.
Gehlot also spoke about an online meeting Congress President Sonia Gandhi held earlier in the day with the chief ministers and ministers of the party-ruled states.
"The Congress president has rightly said that mass gathering of people in elections, religious events, has accelerated the transmission of COVID-19.
For this, we are all responsible to some extent. We need to accept this responsibility, keep the national interest above self-interest," he said.