Rahul Gandhi urges PM Modi to provide social safety net for those hit by lockdown

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has urged the Prime Minister to take immediate steps to provide relief for thousands of migrant workers who have been left on the streets due to the nation-wide lockdown to fight Covid-19.

Gandhi has also asked the PM to activate a viable and credible social safety net to provide succour to those now risk losing jobs and face harsh days.

Stressing the Congress Party was in full solidarity with the government in this hour of challenge, Gandhi told he PM; “It is critical for us to understand that India's conditions are unique. We will be required to take different steps than other large countries who are following a total lockdown strategy. The number of poor people in India who are dependent on a daily income is simply too large for us to unilaterally shut down all economic activity. The consequences of a complete economic shut down will disastrously amplify the death toll arising from the Covid-19 virus”.


Pitching for a broader social net, he further sad, “ We must immediately strengthen the social safety net and use every public resources. We have to support and shelter the working poor. Large population centres will require big dedicated hospitals with thousands of beds and ventilators. It is critical that we start setting up these structures and manufacturing the equipment that would be required, as fast as is humanly possible”

Maintaining that the sudden lockdown has created immense panic and confusion, he said, “factories, small industries and construction sites have closed, tens of thousands of migrant labourers are trying to walk home to their villages and are stranded at various state borders. They are rendered totally vulnerable without their daily wages or access to nutrition and basic services”. He added , “. They are struggling to reach far away homes and seek refuge. It is important that we help them find shelter and provide them with money directly into their bank accounts to help them tide over the next few months”.