Congress demands free ration for migrants

Congress leader KN Tripathi claimed that more than eight crores were given 5 kg rice and 1 kg pulses during the first wave of the pandemic. However, those migrants are barred from getting ration this time as the government has not yet announced any such scheme for them.

New Delhi: Congress leader KN Tripathi on Wednesday appealed to the Central government to provide free rations to the migrants who are compelled to return home due to the ongoing pandemic.

Tripathi, in a video message, claimed that more than eight crores were given 5 kg rice and 1 kg pulses during the first wave of the pandemic. However, those migrants are barred from getting ration this time as the government has not yet announced any such scheme for them, added Tripathi.

He also appealed to the government to announce a free ration scheme for those who don't have a ration card.

Earlier, the leader had appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to transfer Rs 7,000 directly to the bank accounts of the migrants.

The spike in Covid cases has cast a shadow on businesses with migrant labourers bearing the brunt of the curbs and restrictions put in place by the various governments.

India is currently witnessing a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic reported over 3.60 lakh fresh infections in the last 24 hours - the highest since the pandemic broke out last year.