A one-time assistance of Rs 1,000 will be given to workers of unorganised sectors in Bengal to cushion the impact of the virus-induced lockdown, according to a scheme announced on Tuesday by chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

“We are ready with a scheme — Prochesta — to help the workers of unorganised sectors, who might face trouble earning their livelihood during this tough time. The workers can apply for a one-time assistance of Rs 1,000 each between April 15 and 30,” the chief minister said at Nabanna on Tuesday.

Sources said the initiative would help nearly 60 lakh workers of the unorganised sectors.

Construction and transport, which employ a large number of unorganised workers, have ground to a halt because of the lockdown. The scheme will cover domestic workers as well as migrant labourers, many of who have returned to Bengal after the virus scare.

“Even agriculture work has come to a halt in the state. It is a tough time for wage labourers. The financial assistance would help lakhs of people in the state,” said a senior official.

“As people were anxious about their livelihood in villages and some parts of urban areas, they were coming out of homes in search of work during the lockdown. The government wants to achieve the target of social distancing through the lockdown. The scheme will help the state keep people at home, particularly in the rural areas,” said an official.

Although the chief minister has a clear administrative target to achieve, the scheme might help her politically, too.

“The decision to grant financial support to workers of unorganised sectors would have maximum impact in rural areas, where the BJP had developed a strong foothold in the past couple of years,” said an official of the labour department.