Covid-19 highlights: 5,00,000 people affected by coronavirus globally

Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi says India owes a debt to its farmers and the financial package assisted is what was really needed for the daily wage labourers who were bearing the brunt of the ongoing lockdown.

The Govt announcement today of a financial assistance package, is the first step in the right direction. India owes a debt to its farmers, daily wage earners, labourers, women & the elderly who are bearing the brunt of the ongoing lockdown.#Corona

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 26, 2020

The total number of cases in Malaysia have doubled within a week.2,031 people are affected in Malaysia and 23 people have died due to Covid-19 in the country, according to a Reuters report.

The total number of cases in Rajasthan is now 40. The recent cases reported are those of a 45-year-old man in Jaipur and a 35-year-old man from Jhunjhunu, both of these individuals have foreign travel history.

Rajasthan:Two more people test positive in the state, a 45-year-old man in Jaipur and a 35-year-old man from Jhunjhunu. Both have a foreign travel history. Contact tracing underway. The total number of cases in the state rises to 40. #coronavirus

— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2020

A 73-year-old man who died tested positive for Covid-19 died in Bhilwara, PTI said quoting Rajashtan Health Department officials. Co-morbidity was also one of the primary reasons for the man's death.

₹1.7 lakh crore economic package will be implemented with immediate effect; cash doles from April 1: FM.

Today's measures are for the poorest of the poor: FM

District Mineral Fund: Central Govt to request State Govts to use this fund to augment medical testing and screening and providing health attention, announces FM Sitharaman

Her briefing ends. She starts taking questions from press

Welfare for building and construction workers, registered 3.5 crore workers to be benefited, Central Govt has given orders to State Govts to use fund (Rs31,000 crore) to provide relief, announces FM Sitharaman

EPFO scheme regulation will be amended, to allow non-refundable advance of 75% of the amount, now workers can withdraw 3 months wages, whichever is lower. It will benefit 4.8 crore workers registered with EPF.

PF contributions for those firms with upto 100 employees and those who earn upto than ₹15,000 per month

Govt of India will pay the EPF contribution for both the employer and employee for next 3 months

Women under Ujjawala scheme: Three cylinders free of cost for three months t be provided to them. Eight crore women to benefit

Women jan dhan account holders will get an amount of ₹500 per month for next 3 months

8.69 crore farmers to be immediately benefited through Direct cash transfers. Instalment of ₹2000 in the first week of April will be transferred: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

Old age people, widowed, disabled: Additional one time ex-gratia amount of ₹1000 in two instalment. Expected to benefit 3 crore people.