In a measure that is expected to provide relief to the taxpayers amid the outbreak of deadly coronavirus (COVID-19), the government on Wednesday decided to release all pending income tax refunds up to Rs 5 lakh immediately.

The latest move by the finance ministry comes after the government last month decided to provide a fiscal stimulus package worth Rs 1.7 lakh crore to help the poor and migrants tackle the financial difficulties arising from the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, and the 21-day nationwide lockdown that began the previous day.