Form an 'Economic Reconstruction Taskforce' immediately: Priyanka Gandhi writes to UP CM

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday wrote a letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and demanded to constitute an 'Economic Reconstruction Task Force' in the state to give relief to the poor and the downtrodden. She thanked the state government for giving free ration to the MGNREGA workers and demanded that the debt of these workers be repaid.

New Delhi: Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has written a letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, suggesting him to form an 'Economic Reconstruction Task Force' in the state to give relief to the poor and the downtrodden.

Concerning the economic impact of this pandemic over the state, Congress General Secretary wrote, "COVID-19 pandemic has brought along an economic catastrophe. State's various industries including glass, brass, carpet, weaving, furniture, leather, Dairy, pottery, fishery, and other domestic industries have suffered a sharp setback. An economic emergency like situation has arisen in the country as well as in the state."

"The government should constitute an "Economic rejuvenation task force" of experts to tackle the economic tsunami and make a roadmap to economic rejuvenation", she said in the letter.

"The pandemic has severely breached the economy, every section of the society is affected due to this, there are many social and economic issues which should be looked at," said Priyanka in the letter.

In her letter, Priyanka Gandhi suggested various measures to CM Yogi Adityanath seeking help for the vulnerable people, including migrant labours, farmers, and MGNREGA workers, during the nationwide lockdown.

Seeking attention of the government towards the farmers, she said the harvest season was on and the state government should allow the movement of farmers and the combine harvester machines in the state adding that the farmers were harvesting their fields during the night for fear of police action on breaking the lockdown.

She also urged the CM to make immediate payment to the cane farmers' dues as well as guaranteeing the purchase of upcoming crops.

She said that UP Govt, as promised, should also give compensation to the farmers which were hit by hail and unseasonable rain, in the past, leading to damage of crops.

Congress General Secretary also warned CM Yogi Adityanath that there is still a scarcity of ration and cash to many migrant workers. Due to the non-registration, they are not getting the benefit of any relief scheme and hence financial assistance should be guaranteed even to the unregistered labourers. Along with this, the ration should also be provided to those who are not a ration cardholder.

She also urged the previous dues of Rs 611 crore, declared for MGNREGA labourers, should be provided to them immediately and a necessary economic package should also be announced for them.

"It is very important to look into these steps to reduce the impact of this pandemic in the state, by giving convenience to common people at the time of lockdown," she wrote.