Congress in solidarity with govt but will single out shortcomings: CWC

New Delhi: The Congress Working Committee on Thursday extended solidarity with the Centre in combating Covid-19 but stressed the need for streamlining and unrolling more relief measures. While party chief Sonia Gandhi lamented that the 'unplanned announcement of lockdown' has caused chaos and demanded that the Centre frame a 'common minimum relief programme', Congress chief ministers have called for better coordination and funds, including early disbursal of the states’ GST share from the Centre to help them deal with the exigency. They made similar demands during the video conferencing with the prime minister too.

The CWC meet, which was held via video conferencing, stressed on the Congress’ twin roles at this juncture - co-operating with the Centre and acting as a watchdog. The CWC resolution demanded that the Centre address some shortcomings by undertaking extensive testing, massive production of hospital infrastructure, body protection equipment for health sector staff, extending more monetary and other support, including implementation of the 'Nyay' scheme, to the poor and farmers, fine-tuning the supply chain, immediately starting financial action plan-2 and constituting a task force of experts to formulate an action-plan for economic revival.

Addressing the CWC, Gandhi said: “The 21-day national lockdown may have been necessary but the unplanned manner in which it has been implemented has caused chaos and pain in the lives of millions of migrant workers all over India” Pointing out how the vulnerable sections and also middle class stand affected, she added: “I urge the central government to prepare and publish a Common Minimum Relief Programme. This is vital and will help alleviate several of the concerns that afflict all people.” While ex-PM Manmohan Singh said “Congress party stands one with the nation to take on the challenge of Covid-19”, CWC member Rahul Gandhi felt "Congress needs to act as a watchdog India has to fight Covid-19 with a India-specific strategy and consultation…No country in the world has attempted a lockdown with huge migrant labour without arranging for their stay, food and ration."