New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that she supports the 21-day-lockdown, and suggested some measures to ease the supply chain and to protect doctors, nurses, and health professionals.
"Dear Prime Minister, the 21-days 'Nationwide Lockdown' announced by you as a measure to fight the Corona virus is a welcome step. As President of Indian National Congress, I would like to state that we will support and collaborate fully with every step taken by the Union Government to ensure containment of the pandemic," said the Congress Chief.
"At this challenging and uncertain time, it is imperative for each one of us to rise above partisan interests an honour our duty towards our country and humanity. It is in the spirit of solidarity and cooperation therefore I would like to suggest some measures that I believe will help us to address the massive health crisis we are about to face and to ameliorate the immense economic and existential pain that vulnerable sections of our society will soon be subjected to," she added.
Read: With lockdown in place, Cong demands implementation of NYAY
Gandhi suggested that the Union Government immediately commission and begin the construction of temporary facilities with large number of ICUs and ventilators in geographical areas where outbreak is expected to be concentrated in the near future. She also requested the Prime Minister to announce a special "risk allowance" for doctors, nurses and health workers for a period of six months retrospectively from March 1, 2020, along with providing them with all all the essential items of personal protection equipment.
As it has been recently reported that many businesses and companies are laying off and retrenching large numbers of regular and temporary employees leaving them in a vulnerable situation, the Congress President demanded that the Union Government immediately put in place broad based social protection measures including direct cash transfer to these sections, including daily wagers, MGNREGA workers, farmers, fishermen, construction workers, to tide over the period of difficulty.
"I sincerely believe that implementing the Minimum Income Guarantee Scheme, i.e. NYAY Yojana, proposed by Indian National Congress is the need of the hour. At this time of immense distress for the poor who are going to weather the major economic fall out of this pandemic, it will give them a basic economic resource to fall back on," she said.
She suggested that a cash transfer of Rs 7500 to every 'Jan Dhan' account holder, 'PM Kisan Yojana' account holder, all old-age/widow/differently-abled person's pension account, and MGNREGA worker's account, along with the distribution of 10 kg of rice and wheat per family member to every ration card holder through PDS free of cost, as a one-time special measure to tide over the 21-day lockdown period.
She also asserted that the Union Government must consider announcing a comprehensive sector-wise relief package including necessary tax breaks, interest subvention and deferment of liabilities.
"Mr Prime Minister, if implemented, these measures will reaffirm our commitment to each and every one of our citizens when they most need support and protection. We, in the Congress party, stand with the people of India at the time of national crisis and we extend, to the government, our full support and cooperation," she wrote in her letter.
Read: Shocking that promised COVID-19 economic task force hasn't been set up: Chidambaram
