Delhi govt to provide free ration, financial aid to auto, taxi drivers
The Delhi government will provide free ration for two months to 72 lakh ration card holders and financial assistance of `5,000 to autorickshaw and taxi drivers in the city to help them tide over the Covid-19 crisis, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Tuesday.
However, the decision to provide free ration does not mean that the lockdown imposed in the city to break the chain of transmission will continue for two months, he said during an online briefing.
Mr Kejriwal said he is hopeful that the situation in Delhi will improve and lockdown will not be needed. “The 72 lakh ration card holders in Delhi will be provided free ration for the next two months,” the chief minister said.
“Our decision to provide free ration for two months does not mean that the lockdown will continue for two months. We imposed the lockdown to contain the spread of Covid and I am hopeful that we will end this as soon as possible,” he added.
Further, Mr Kejriwal said, “The Delhi government provided financial assistance of `5,000 to each of the 1.56 lakh auto and taxi drivers during the last year’s lockdown and will do so again this time to help them.”
The Delhi government imposed a lockdown in the national capital to check the spread of Covid-19. However, lockdown creates a financial crisis for people, especially for the poor and daily wage earners who find it difficult to run their homes, he said.
Last week, the Delhi government had announced financial assistance of `5,000 for construction workers, he said.
Describing the current situation in Delhi as a “very difficult time,” the chief minister appealed to people to help each other in finding hospital beds, oxygen, and medicines and provide food wherever needed.
“We are undergoing a very difficult time and the second wave has been extremely dangerous. There is so much despair and sadness all around. This is the time to become good human beings and help each other,” he said.
Our decision to provide free ration for two months does not mean that the lockdown will continue for two months
— Arvind Kejriwal Delhi CM