New Delhi : The free foodgrain scheme announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1 Juy, is grossly inadequate to meet public needs, said CPI(M) Politburo adding that, it makes a mockery of the crisis people are plunged into currently. How much would it serve to be handed 5 kilos of foodgrain to persons who have lost their livelihood completely well over three months now ? Every individual should be provided with 10 kilo rice in each of the coming 6 months, said PB.
Over 14 lakh people have lost their jobs. All families outside the income tax bracket should be paid Rs 7500 in each of the next six months. The Employment Assurance Scheme that promises work to all returnees is a big hoax. It would take an aggregate of Rs 2.46 lakh crore to provide 100 gainful employment days to an added 1 crore people. However the budget allocation combined with incremented provision figures to just Rs 1.5 lakh crore for the purpose. In a scenario where govt is unable to provide work to workers, they should be at least provided with unemployment benefits.
PM said 9 lakh farmers were beneficiaries to Rs 2000 each. Prior to elections of 2019, the govt had promised Rs 2000 thrice a year to about 14 lakh farmers. So it’s old policy in new wrap. Besides, PM is tactfully quiet on any payment toward the upcoming second installment.
India has one of the lowest testing rates for Covid-19 among countries of the world. It is high time the centre took mitigation and treatment measures on war footing. The government should implement comprehensive health checkup without delay, PB demanded in its statement.
