Blog

India’s gender-responsive policies during COVID-19

Posted on by MSC

COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for the world and particularly for women. They faced pressing questions regarding food, fuel, employment, and income. In-kind and cash benefits from the GoI’s PMGKY assistance package continue to support the holistic needs of marginalized women in India and the households they look after. The GoI provided all female #PMJDY account holders with INR 500 (USD 6.77) per month for three months.

While PMGKY has a dedicated focus on poor women, poor communication, lack of digital and financial literacy, and presence of social norms are some key underlying challenges women face while enrolling and accessing gender-focused G2P programs, as is the case with the GOIs PMGKY package. MSC believes  G2P programs for women can be enhanced through gender-sensitive considerations in communication and a friendly-banking environment.

A review of the effectiveness of India’s Direct Benefit Transfer system during COVID-19: Lessons for India and the world

Posted on by MSC

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of India (GoI) announced a relief package in March 2020 worth USD 23.2 billion under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) program. Within two weeks from the announcement of the PMGKY program, the GoI used the DBT system to transfer USD 3.9 billion to 318 million beneficiaries. However, the delivery of cash benefits has been fraught with various challenges. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the efficiency of various cash transfer delivery mechanisms and the challenges associated with benefit delivery during the pandemic.

This paper examines the use of existing cash transfer programs and the payment infrastructure used for the timely delivery of PMGKY benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Additionally, the paper draws insights from PMGKY beneficiaries’ cash withdrawal/access preferences and experiences from MicroSave Consulting’s (MSC) two rounds of assessment of the GoI’s response to COVID-19.

How effective was India’s Direct Benefit Transfer system during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Posted on by MSC

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of India (GoI) announced a relief package in March 2020 worth USD 23.2 billion under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) program. Within two weeks from the announcement of the PMGKY program, the GoI used the DBT system to transfer USD 3.9 billion to 318 million beneficiaries. However, the delivery of cash benefits has been fraught with various challenges. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the efficiency of various cash transfer delivery mechanisms and the challenges associated with benefit delivery during the pandemic.

This paper examines the use of existing cash transfer programs and the payment infrastructure used for the timely delivery of PMGKY benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Additionally, the paper draws insights from PMGKY beneficiaries’ cash withdrawal/access preferences and experiences from MicroSave Consulting’s (MSC) two rounds of assessment of the GoI’s response to COVID-19.

Beyond the barriers of affordability: An analysis of India’s cooking fuel support program under the COVID-19 assistance package

Posted on by MSC

As India was struck hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, the government declared several relief measures under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY). As part of PMGKY, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) beneficiaries were to receive advance cash transfers in their bank accounts to purchase three liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) canisters. According to government statistics, around 75 million women received the transfers.

 MSC conducted two rounds of demand–side research using a mixed–methods approach to evaluate the efficacy of this intervention and the experience of beneficiaries in receiving the cash transfers and purchasing LPG refills during and after the lockdown. The paper suggests that India must now work to promote and sustain LPG usage, which remains a significant challenge.

How can the government improve the uptake of LPG refills issued under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and facilitate a complete shift to clean fuel?

Posted on by MSC

As India was struck hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, the government declared several relief measures under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY). As part of PMGKY, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) beneficiaries were to receive advance cash transfers in their bank accounts to purchase three liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) canisters. According to government statistics, around 75 million women received the transfers.

 MSC conducted two rounds of demand–side research using a mixed–methods approach to evaluate the efficacy of this intervention and the experience of beneficiaries in receiving the cash transfers and purchasing LPG refills during and after the lockdown. The paper suggests that India must now work to promote and sustain LPG usage, which remains a significant challenge.