“There is money, there is food, but the government will not release either money or food. Cry, my beloved country,” senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram said on Twitter.
The poor have been left to fend for themselves for 21+19 days, including practically soliciting food. There is money, there is food, but the government will not release either money or food.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) April 14, 2020
Cry, my beloved country.
The Congress on Tuesday termed as “rhetoric” and “hollow on specifics” the Prime Minister’s address to the nation, saying there was no mention of a financial package or concrete steps to revive the economy.
CMs’ demand for money elicited no response. Not a rupee has been added to the miserly package of March 25, 2020
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) April 14, 2020
From Raghuram Rajan to Jean Dreze, from Prabhat Patnaik to Abhijit Banerji, their advice has fallen on deaf years.
Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram said, “The poor have been left to fend for themselves for 21+19 days, including practically soliciting food. There is money, there is food, but the government will not release either money or food. Cry, my beloved country,” he said on Twitter.
The poor have been left to fend for themselves for 21+19 days, including practically soliciting food. There is money, there is food, but the government will not release either money or food.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) April 14, 2020
Cry, my beloved country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that the lockdown across the country will be extended till May 3 to fight the coronavirus pandemic, saying the measure has produced a significant outcome in containing the infection.
But beyond the lockdown, what was ‘new’ in PM’s new year message?
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) April 14, 2020
It is obvious that livelihood for the poor — their survival — is not among the priorities of the government.
Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the PM’s address was like Hamlet without the Prince of Denmark.
Also read: ‘Economic package must precede lifting of lockdown’
“Amazing PM address. Exhortation, rhetoric, inspiration…..yet hollow on specifics! No financial package, no details, no concrete item. Neither for poor nor middle class nor industry nor businesses. Lockdown is good but cannot be end in itself! Where is single livelihood issue,” he asked.
He said the PM should be assured that all stakeholders will do their duties and will strictly observe lockdown.
“After this: should we pray? We want concrete palliatives for these deprived classes and even for middle india and MSMEs,” he said.