<h1>India Transfers Rs. 36,659 Crore to 16.01 Crore Beneficiaries via DBT During COVID-19 Lockdown for Financial Relief.</h1> During the COVID-19 lockdown, over Rs. 36,659 crore was transferred to 16.01 crore beneficiaries in India using Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS). This initiative, part of the Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Package, aimed to provide financial relief directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts, reducing leakage and enhancing efficiency. The funds were distributed under various central and state schemes, including PM-KISAN and the Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Scheme. The DBT system saw significant growth, with disbursements increasing from 22% in FY 2018-19 to 45% in FY 2019-20.