The World Bank announced a $1 billion social protection package for India linked to central govt programmes amid Covid-19 pandemic. The protection package aims to integrate India's 400-plus fragmented social-security programmes for migrant workers. The programme is part of an initiative that seeks to rebalance access to safety nets between rural and urban India. Programme will focus especially on making social benefits like subsidised food under the National Food Security Act, making cash transfers, pensions, etc portable across the country. Portability refers to a digitised, universal and always-on platform which ensures benefits move along with migrants. India announced a widespread lockdown on March 24 pushing millions of migrant workers out of jobs.
