SONIA Gandhi slams BJP for “spreading communal virus” when nation should unitedly fight COVID-19

AICC President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday, 23 April 2020 accused BJP of spreading  ‘’virus of communal prejudice and hatred ‘’when the nation is .unitedly fighting coronavirus. In her opening remark at the Congress Working Committee meet, she says “Let me also share with you something that should worry each and everyone of us as Indians. When we should be tackling the coronavirus unitedly, the BJP continues to spread the virus of communal prejudice and hatred. Grave damage is being done to our social harmony. Our party and we all have to work hard to repair that damage’’. Entitlement of food grains under the National Food Security Act has not yet reached the targeted people. 11 crore people who are in need of subsidized food grains remain outside the Public Distribution System, she said adding it should be our commitment to provide 10 kgs of food grains, 1 kg of pulses and half a Kg of sugar to each person of the family every month, in this hour of crisis.12 crore jobs have been lost in the first phase of the lockdown. Unemployment is likely to increase further as economic activity remains at a standstill. It is imperative to provide at least Rs.7,500 to each family to tide over this crisis.  Migrant labourers are still stranded, jobless and desperate to return home. They have been hit the hardest. They must be provided with food security and a financial safety net in order to survive this period of crisis, Sonia Gandhi said. The party repeatedly urged the Prime Minister that there is no alternative to testing, Trace and Quarantine programme. Unfortunately, testing still remains low and testing kits are still in short supply and of poor quality. PPE kits are being provided to our doctors & healthcare workers but the number and quality is poor. Migrant labourers are still stranded, jobless and desperate to return home. They have been hit the hardest. They must be provided with food security and a financial safety net in order to survive this period of crisis., she said. Farmers are facing serious difficulties too. The issues of weak and unclear procurement policies and disrupted supply chains need to be addressed without delay. Necessary facilities must be made available to the farmers for the next round of Kharif crops which will begin in the coming 2 months. MSMEs employ close to 11 crore personnel today. They make up for one-third of the GDP.  If they are to be protected from economic ruin, it is imperative that a special package be announced urgently for their survival. The Congress chief saluted the doctors, nurses, paramedics, health workers, sanitation workers and all other essential service providers, NGO and the lakhs of citizens providing relief to the most needy all over India. Their dedication and determination truly inspire us all, she added.