Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi slammed the Narendra Modi government on Thursday for not considering the suggestions by the Congress party in its tackling of food security and unemployment crisis that has emerged due to the coronavirus pandemic.
At a Congress working committee meeting on Thursday, Gandhi criticized the government in its response to the crisis as ‘no clear idea’ on how to tackle the situation even after the second phase of lockdown ends on the 3rd of May. Gandhi further said,
“Compassion, large-heartedness, and alacrity that should be forthcoming from the Central government is conspicuous by its absence.”
Gandhi expressed disappointment that the government failed to consider the suggestions provided by her in her repeated letters addressing the Prime Minister. Gandhi had emphasized on the only alternative being ‘Test, Trace, and quarantine’ and now feels the government failed to act on her suggestion. Speaking on the COVID-19 tests conducted by the country, Gandhi said,
“Unfortunately, testing still remains low and testing kits are still in short supply and of poor quality. PPE kits are being provided to our doctors and healthcare workers but the number and quality are poor.”
On the outbreak of the novel coronavirus and its impact on the economy, employment and the small and medium scale businesses, the President of Congress said she excepts the unemployment rate to grow in coming weeks and proposed the alternative is to transfer at least 7,500 rupees to each family to help them survive through the crisis, especially the migrant laborers who are away from home without job and food.
Gandhi condemns the communal angle to the pandemic
In the CWC meet, the Congress chief highlighted the need for a special bailout package designed exclusively for the MSME sector and the need for facilitating the next round of Kharif cropping to the badly-hit farm sector.
In the end, Gandhi also condemned the communal turn the crisis has taken over the last week. She also lauded the service by the frontline health workers. She signed off by saying,
“Let me also share with you something that should worry each and every one of us Indians. When we should be tackling the coronavirus unitedly, BJP continues to spread the virus of communal prejudice and hatred. Grave damage is being done to our social harmony.”
Source: The Times of India
