New Delhi: A key Congress panel headed by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday met for the first time and discussed significant issues before the country such as the revival of the MSME sector, smooth crop procurement, and migrant issues amid the nationwide lockdown.
The Congress will soon submit a concrete plan for the revival of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to the Center as the former PM Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, both stressed that the priority should be given to MSME sector because of its social and economic importance as it provides the largest number of jobs in the country.
While addressing the media, former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh, who was also a part of this meeting, said: "We have worked out a very concrete MSME Revival package, which we will submit to Central Government in a day or two."
The Group also demanded that Centre should submit an amount of Rs 7,500 through direct benefit transfer, in all Jan Dhan accounts, all pension accounts and beneficiaries of PM-Kisan scheme.
"I am sure that a compassionate and responsible government can find funds to provide for the vulnerable sections of the country," the Congress leader said.
Jairam Ramesh also told reporters that both Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi stressed on the need for making recommendations to the government to ensure smooth crop procurement and resolution of migrant workers issues.
He said: "The purchase of wheat black gram and mustard was also discussed today. All members have given their suggestions about procurement. We will submit a draft report of our suggestions in this regard to the centre very soon."
He further added: "Today, our leader Rahul Gandhi insisted on constructive suggestions. Even though we may have differences with the government but in this hour of crisis, we are committed to our responsibilities."
Replying to ETV Bharat's question, Jairam Ramesh said: "Definitely, we are concerned about students but we should also think about the plight of migrant workers. We need to extend all support to them, if we can provide logistics and transportation to students, surely we can provide the same facilities to migrant labours as well."
He also informed that the issues of migrant labours will be discussed thoroughly in the next meeting after having a talk with chief ministers of Congress-led governments.
Jairam Ramesh also alleged that Centre was busy in destabilizing the Madhya Pradesh government of Congress due to which it delayed in taking the required steps for COVID-19.
"We hope that the Central Government would come down from its pedestal and considers our recommendations with same positive sentiment in which we are making these recommendations," he said.
The Consultative Group was formed by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, on April 18, for discussing various issues of the country during the crisis of coronavirus pandemic. In today's meeting, it has been decided that the group will meet after every 2 days at 11 am.
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