New Delhi: Congress launched an online campaign 'Speak Up India' on Thursday, to address the economic and humanitarian issues faced by the poor and the migrant people during the corona-induced lockdown. In its social media campaign, Congress has put forward four demands in front of the Central government which includes cash transfer of Rs 7,500 into the bank accounts of the poor for the next six months and an immediate cash transfer of Rs 10,000.
The opposition has also demanded to provide 200 working days under the MNREGA scheme and to arrange free transport for the migrants walking towards their home.
Former Congress leader and Wayanad MP said, "Every poor family should be provided with Rs 7,500 for the next 6 months by transferring money directly into their accounts. Ensure 200 days of work under the MGNREGA scheme. Provide instant relief package to Small and medium scale businesses. Ensure safe and free of cost movement of migrant workers to their homes."
"There is a storm in our country due to COVID-19. Poor people are the most affected. Hundreds of migrant labourers walked barefoot for miles, without even having food or water. MSME sector, the backbone of our country, has been shut down. India does not need loans right now, it needs money," he added.
While party's former President Rahul Gandhi demanded the Union Government to provide financial support to the poor people, Congress' General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slammed BJP for doing politics during this period of crisis.
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Lashing out at the Central Government, Priyanka Gandhi said, "Today, I want to make a request to all political parties, especially BJP. This is the time when all of us should forget about personal grudges and ideological differences and come together to help poor and vulnerable people. They are in crisis, we need to support them."
She added, "UP Government refused to give us permission to ply 1000 buses in the state to help stranded migrant workers. We even offered them to use their own banners in those buses. They claimed to run 12,000 buses in the state but it did not happen. And now, when Maharashtra Government is fighting against COVID-19 pandemic, BJP is trying to destabilise the government."
Priyanka Gandhi also explained the plight of migrant labourers by giving instances of their struggle.
She added, "Mother India is crying, but BJP has kept mum. They are not providing any help to these poor people. Our demands are based on humanitarian needs and are not politically driven. Leave politics and support the people of this country."
