PM Modi announces Rs 20 trillion stimulus package to jump-start economy

'Self-reliant India' package is around 10% of GDP; lockdown 4.0 is on with new guidelines

In his fifth address since the Covid-19 outbreak, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday evening announced a much-awaited Rs 20-trillion stimulus package while giving away that the nationwide lockdown would be extended beyond May 17.

Lockdown 4.0, however, would be very different from what we have seen so far, the PM said in a primetime telecast. The details of both — the package and the next phase of the lockdown — would be unveiled during the week.

The PM said the Rs 20-trillion package, nearly 10 per cent of India’s gross domestic product (GDP), would be with the objective