Sonia writes to PM, lists 5 suggestions to fight Covid
CRISIS Cong president lauds MPS’ salary cut move, suggests stopping Central Vista project
NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, extending her party’s support to the government’s decision to slash salaries of Members of Parliament (MPS) by 30%, while also listing five suggestions to fight the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Her suggestions included suspending the ~20,000-crore Central Vista beautification and construction project and transferring all money under the PMCARES fund --- set up last month to fight the pandemic --- to the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund (PM-NRF).
Gandhi’s letter comes in response to the PM’S Sunday call seeking suggestions in the wake of the fast-spreading infection caused by the Sars-cov-2 virus.
“I am writing to convey our support for the decision taken by the Union Cabinet to reduce salaries for MPS by 30%. Austerity measures which can be used to divert much-needed funds to the fight against Covid-19 are the need of the hour. In this spirit, I am writing to offer five concrete suggestions. I am certain you will find value in them,” she said.
Gandhi demanded a complete ban on media advertisements --television, print and online --- by the government and public sectors undertakings (PSUS) for two years, with the exceptions being advisories for Covid-19 or issues relating to public health.
“Given that the central government currently spends an average of ~1,250 crore per year on media advertisements (not including an equal or greater amount spent by PSUS and government companies), this will free up a substantial amount to alleviate the economic and social impacts of Covid-19,” she added.
The Congress chief al s o sought immediate suspension of the Central Vista project. “At a time like this, such an outlay seems self-indulgent to say the least... This sum could instead be allocated towards constructing new hospital infrastructure and diagnostics along with equipping our frontline workers with personal protection equipment (PPE) and better facilities.”
In her third suggestion, Gandhi sought a proportionate reduction of 30% in the expenditure budget (other than salaries, pensions and central sector schemes) for the Centre as well.
“This 30% (~2.5 lakh crore per year approximately) can then be allocated towards establishing an economic safety net for migrant workers, labourers, farmers, MSMES and those in the unorganised sector,” she added.
The Congress president also urged Modi to put on hold all foreign visits, including that of the President, the PM, Union ministers, chief ministers, state ministers and bureaucrats. “Exceptions can be made in case of special emergency or exigencies in national interest to be cleared by the PM. This amount (which is around ~393 crore for just the Prime Minister and Union cabinet’s trips in the last five years) can be utilised extensively in measures to combat Covid-19.”
In her fifth suggestion, Gandhi demanded transfer of all money under PM-CARES fund to the PM-NRF. “This will ensure ef f i ci ency, t ransparency, accountability and audit in the manner in which these funds are allocated and spent. It seems like a waste of effort and resources to have and create two separate silos for the distribution of funds. I understand that ~3,800 crore approximately are lying unutilised in the PM-NRF (at the end of FY2019). These funds, plus the amount in ‘Pm-cares’, can be utilised to ensure an immediate food security net for those at the very margins of society,” she said.
This is Gandhi’s fifth letter to the Prime Minister since March 23.