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Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announces the details of the $280 billion (20 lakh crore) economic package and action being taken to help (MSME) small and medium size enterprises in India. About 3 lakh crore or about $40 billion will be for support of the MSME enterprises. The MSME sector in India cover millions of micro, small and medium size businesses that support the economy. By increasing the size of the market by 2000 crores rupees through avoiding foreign tenders the government wants to give more scope for growth and investment to this sector. Some imports from China and other countries could now be manufactured in India as part of the push to be local and self reliant, as well as provide room for robust growth in the future after the blow from coronavirus.

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Indian finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman answers questions about India's 20 lakh crore or $280 billion aid package in this interview in the Hindustan Times. She says Mr. Modi's foresight in setting up the various people aid schemes including bank accounts for all citizens have helped the government send direct help to farmers and workers. She sees a multiplier effect of the aid package.

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This editorial in the HIndu newspaper says more than the Rs. 2000 crore allocated for Ayushman- for covering 10.74 crore families with Rs 5 lakh health  coverage- is needed. This should have been setup earlier and it is now time to upgrade the public health infrastructure so that it can handle the much needed care of 40% of the population given free coverage upto Rs 5 lakh under PMJAY.

Not all states have joined. The challenge of tight cost control has to be met through defined treatment packages for which rates are prescribed so that the challenge of standardization of facilities and reasonable rates for procedures is met.

Prevention is also of great importance and here the 150,000 health and wellness centres across India of the National Health Protection Mission have a special role to play.

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Prime minister Modi's address in Hindi to the nation on May 12 on "Atman Nirbhar Bharat" (self reliant India) as India looks ahead to a situation beyond the coronavirus. What would the economy look like as India moves forward? He says the emphasis will be on planning for the need for land, labor, liquidity, and laws to develop the Indian economy. A bold package of economic action for an investment of 20 lakh crore rupees or $280 billion was announced with details to be provided later. The basic philosophy of the next move forward was what the prime minister concentrated his speech on. Modi says there are 5 pillars for the Atman Nirbhar Bharat, or Self Reliant India. The first action not to go for incremental change- go instead for a quantum leap, be bold. This applies to both technology and investment and creating an environment where results can be achieved. Second action to make the kind of infrastructure that would set a new standard in the world. Third a "sabhi ke sapno ke aadhar," taking everyone along, be technology driven. Third action celebrate and build on India's vibrant demography, once seen as a weakness this will be turned into a strength. Fifth action be Demand driven - "demand or supply chain puri samtha ke saman karne ki jaruat che." The demand and supply chain  should be taken good care of. That also means be local and local manufacturing. Be vocal for local is the new message said Modi, because this is what worked and is saving us in the pandemic. As external supply chains failed countries in Europe and North America, it is the local supply chain for medicine, health care equipment, and food supplies, local technology for citizen id and bank accounts for direct deposit, agricultural supplies, strong and large national postal and rail networks and millions of employees spanning the country in all directions, that have proved of amazing value in this crisis. "Is local ne bhi bachaya, ham sabki jinnadari hai," - the local saved us and is everyone's responsibility.   ...