'One nation, one ration card' for migrants: FM

New Delhi, May 14 (IANS) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday unveiled the second tranche of fiscal stimulus, emphasizing 'one nation, one ration card'.

During the press brief, the Finance Minister said, "Technology systems will be used to enable migrants to access Public Distribution System (ration) from any fair price shop in India by March 2021 -- one nation, one ration card."

She said this scheme will enable a migrant beneficiary to access the PDS from any fair price shop in the country.

"As many as 67 crore beneficiaries in 23 states covering 83 per cent of the PDS population will be covered by national portability by August 2020. One-hundred per cent national portability will be achieved by March 2021. All states and UTs will complete full FPS automation by March 2021," she added.

During lockdown frollowing the coronavirus outbreak, the government has faced a lot of criticism that it has failed to provide food to the needy.

Subsidy for affordable housing to be extended till March 2021: FM

New Delhi, May 14 (IANS) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharman on Thursday announced that the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) for middle income groups to buy affordable housing units will be extended till March 31, 2021.

The scheme was last extended till March 2020.

Addressing the media here, Sitharaman said that the extension would benefit 2.5 lakh middle income families. So far, the scheme has benefitted 3.3 lakh middle class families, she added.

The Finance Minister said that it will lead to an investment of Rs 70,000 crore in the housing sector and also create jobs.

As per the government, the decision will stimulate demand for steel, cement, transport and other construction materials.

The decision is part of the Rs 20 lakh crore economic package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.

Further, the Centre will also launch a scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for migrant labour and urban poor to building affordable rental housing facilities for them.

Under the scheme, government funded housing in cities will be converting to affordable rental housing complexes under the public private partnership mode.

Further, the government will also incentivise manufacturing units, industries, institutions, associations to develop affordable rental housing complexes on their private land and operate them.