On the back of a INR1.7trn (£18.3bn, $22.5bn, €20.7bn) economic stimulus package unveiled by the Indian government in March, Reuters has reported that firms in the country could be set for additional relief.
The first package will provide direct cash transfers and food security measures to give relief to millions of poor people suffering since the outbreak of coronavirus.
Two senior officials with knowledge of the matter told the newswire on Wednesday that “the second package could be focused largely on [micro, small and medium enterprises]”.
It is understood to be in the region of INR1bn.
Reuters reported that the money could be to increase the limit of bank loans for working capital needs, hiking threshold limits for availing tax exemptions and relaxing rules for deposits of income tax and other dues.
The latest official figures from the World Health Organisation, dated 7 April, put the number of confirmed cases at 4,067 with 109 deaths.
However, media reports at the time of writing suggest this has since risen to 5,037 cases and 178 deaths.
