Sonia writes to PM, seeks help for stranded migrant workers

Congress' interim President Sonia Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday to draw his attention to the plight of migrant workers, who have been caught in the biggest ever reverse migration process as states closed borders forcing them to return to their hometowns on foot.

New Delhi:Congress President Sonia Gandhi, on Friday, wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to issue a national advisory to assist the migrant workers who are travelling hundreds of miles on foot in an effort to reach their homes due to the Coronavirus pandemic which has lead to a 21-day nationwide lockdown.

Sonia writes to PM, seeks help for stranded migrant workers

"I want to draw your urgent attention on the impact of the nationwide lockdown on poor who are currently standard in transit towards their home. Lakhs of migrant workers are being forced to walk hundreds of Miles as there is no public transport available. Several others are stuck in guest houses or hotels and have run out of money to pay their costs," she wrote in her letter.

The Congress President, while suggesting the measures to tackle the current situation, appealed to the PM to make available one time State transport services to those who are walking to their home towns or villages. Along with that, she also said that District Collectors should be asked to extend all possible assistance to those who can no longer afford to stay in lodges or guest houses.

She further added, "The citizens of our country are making tremendous sacrifices for a better tomorrow. Therefore we must make all efforts to ensure that the purpose of a lockdown is not defeated by making the most vulnerable bear its cost."

Supporting to her statement, Congress leader Ahmed Patel also tweeted, "If we can evacuate Indian stranded in foreign soil why not assist those stranded on our domestic soil?"

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in one of her video, also urged all the political parties to work together to help the stranded migrant workers. She mentioned that UP Congress has formed a "Highway task force" to help for this cause but would also need the cooperation from the state governments.