The Ministry of Finance has estimated that the government has spent MVR 221.1 million as income support.
Statistics published by the Ministry show that as of 31 December, 2020 there had been 17, 147 people who had received income support with payments of MVR 5,000 each.
Income support was financial assistance given out by the government for people who had either lost their jobs or had their incomes negatively affected as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As per the terms of the income support scheme, people whose salaries had been reduced below a threshold of MVR 5,000 a month would be paid the difference, and people who were either laid off or forced to take no-pay leaves would be given a monthly stipend of MVR 5,000 a month.
The government has paid out income support three times so far.
The first payouts of income support went out to people who had their livelihoods affected in April, May, and June. The second payouts went to people who were affected in August and September.