Oppn picks holes in relief package
Suggestions like helping tenant farmers, EMI deferment not implemented, says Congress
Opposition parties on Thursday said the financial package offered by the government to tide over coronavirus outbreak was “too little too late” even as some members of Parliament urged that `20,000 crore earmarked for re-doing the Central Vista be diverted to fighting the pandemic.
Congress leader and party MP from Wayanad Rahul Gandhi said: “The government announcement of a financial assistance package is the first step in the right direction. India owes a debt to its farmers, daily wage earners, labourers, women and the elderly who are bearing the brunt of the ongoing lockdown.”
Former finance minister P. Chidambaram said the plan does not put enough cash in the pockets of the poor. “Some sections have been left out altogether. Our estimate of (the additional money that will be transferred (including the value of the grain and pulses) is `1 lakh crore. Necessary but not sufficient at all. You will notice that suggestions like help to tenant farmers and destitutes, maintaining current levels of employment and wages, tax deferment, EMI deferment, GST rate cut, etc., have not been addressed,” he said, adding: “Let’s hope there will be a Plan II shortly.”
Congress’ Randeep Singh Surjewala termed the package as being too little too late.
“It is too little too late.
How should the standing
Some sections have been left out altogether. Our estimate of (the additional money that will be transferred (including the value of the grain and pulses) is `1 lakh crore. Necessary but not sufficient at all. — P. CHIDAMBARAM
Former finance minister
crop of the farmer be harvested is the crucial question. All grain markets are shut. A farmer cannot wait until April 14. Please declare harvesting and procurement as part of essential services,” he said.
Mr Surjewala also said that the free foodgrain being given to per person was also too little. “At least give 11 kg of wheat or rice free for these 21 days. At least give 3 kg of pulses,” he said.
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said the financial package announced by the government was inadequate.
“The `1.75 lakh crore package announced on Thursday missed out on a crucial issue of the migrant workers returning to their own states,” he said.
He also asked the government to divert funds meant for building a new Central Vista to fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Unconscionable that the Central government finds it necessary to spend `20,000 crore at this precise moment for a new house for the PM and other beautification schemes. Central Vista plan must be scrapped, earmarked funds must be transferred to tackle #COVID2019 and its impact on the poor,” Mr Yechury said.
Similar thoughts were echoed by Congress MP from Thiruva-nanthapuram Shashi Tharoor.
“As an MP, I appeal to the Prime Minister to divert the `20,000-crore earmarked for new Parliament building and Central Vista to supplement the `15,000 allotted to fight Covid-19, which is merely `20 crore per district. Grand spending on buildings at this time of crisis is a postponable luxury,” he tweeted.
Congress demanded that the Center should intervene and ensure migrant workers who are stranded on roads are transported back to their native villages or cities.
The Trinamul Congress on the other hand claimed that the Centre had taken inspiration from state governments to roll out the plan.
“The Centre takes cue from relief plans already rolled out by state governments like West Bengal a week ago-free six months ration for the poor, health insurance for champion frontliners fighting corona and `1,000 for daily wagers under new Prochesta Scheme”.
Earlier, in a letter to PM Modi, Congress president Sonia Gandhi asked him to ensure that frontline health workers and doctors are provided with adequate supply of personal protective equipment like masks and Hazmat suits. She also sought a sixmonth “risk allowance” for the healthcare professionals from March 1.