RAHUL TO PM: ECONOMIC SHUTDOWN TO AMPLIFY TOLL

NEWDELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying the three-week nationwide lockdown imposed to halt the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has created immense panic and confusion and urged him to adopt a “nuanced approach” and not enforce a total shutdown on economic activity. He cited India’s unique conditions and suggested an approach “that takes the complex realities of our people into consideration”.

“It is critical for us to understand that India’s conditions are unique. We will be required to take different steps than other large countries who are following a total lockdown strategy,” he said. He highlighted the plight of migrant workers, who have been forced to return to their native places on foot because of the shutdown that has left them jobless.

Gandhi said the number of poor people dependent on a daily income is too large in the country to unilaterally shut down all economic activity. “The consequences of a complete economic shutdown will disastrously amplify the death toll arising from the COVID-19 virus.” He said factories, small industries and construction sites have closed and tens of thousands of migrant labourers have been rendered vulnerable without their daily wages or access to nutrition and basic services. “It is important that we help them find shelter and provide them with money...”

He added that the exodus will increase the risk of infections among the parents of the workers and the elderly populations living in these villages.

“This will result in a catastrophic loss of life,” he warned “Our priority must be to protect and isolate the elderly and vulnerable from the virus and to clearly and strongly communicate to the young the dangers of proximity to older people.”