New Delhi: Congress party, on Wednesday, held a meeting of Chief Ministers of its ruling states in the wake of Coronavirus pandemic and accused the Union Government of not providing any economic package to the States amid the crisis of nationwide lockdown.
Rajasthan Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot said, "Until extensive stimulus package is given how will states and country run? We have lost Rs 10,000 crore of revenue. States have repeatedly requested Prime Minister for a package but we are yet to hear from Government of India."
Chattisgarh CM, Bhupesh Baghel said, "States are facing a dire economic crisis. They need to be provided with immediate assistance." He also informed that Chhattisgarh is one state where 80% of small industries have been started and nearly 85,000 workers have return to work.
Congress-led State Governments have continuously raised the demands from Central Government urging it to pay the dues of GST revenues to help them financially in the fight against COVID-19.
Former Union Minister, P Chidambaram said, "States bleeding in terms of finances but no money is been allocated by Government of India. A number of newspapers have brought out the unavailability of finances with States."
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On Wednesday, this meeting of Chief Ministers of Congress ruling states, held under the leadership of Party President Sonja Gandhi questioned the Union Government on its plan to take the country forward after Lockdown 3.0, ending on May 17, amid Coronavirus pandemic. Along with, former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, ex-President of the party Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders like P Chidambaram and Jairam Ramesh were also present during the meeting.
Dr Manmohan Singh asked the Government, "CMs need to deliberate and ask as to what is a strategy of Government of India to get country out of lockdown."
Punjab CM Capt Amrinder Singh alleged that the decision over the classification of zones is being done by the "people sitting in Delhi, without knowing what's happening on the ground." He also mentioned that Punjab has set up two committees, one to strategize on how to come out of lockdown and other on economic revival.
Adding to the same concern, Puducherry CM said, " Government of India is deciding on zones without consulting the states and this is creating Anomalous situation. People sitting in Delhi can't tell the states about it as no state or CM is consulted. Why? Along with this PM isn't saying a word on the economic package for states."
Concerning over the health hazards of the lifting of lockdown, Rahul Gandhi said, "The Central piece of strategy to fight COVID is to protect the elderly as also those who are diabetic and with a heart condition."
