Welcoming the step of 21-day lockdown, Gandhi also suggested measures like protecting the doctors, easing the supply chain and moratorium on loans and EMIs.
New Delhi| Congress President Sonia Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressing her support to the 21-day lockdown announced by the Prime Minister in the view of coronavirus outbreak. She further suggested measures such as protecting the doctors, easing the supply chain and postponing the payments of loans and EMIs. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic sweeping across the world had caused serious public health concerns, anguish and apprehensions in India, Gandhi wrote in the letter to PM Modi.
“It has imperiled lives and put at risk the lives and livelihoods of millions, particularly, the most vulnerable sections of our society. The entire nation stands as one in solidarity in the fight to halt and defeat the Corona pandemic,” she further added.
She also mentioned that the 21 Days lockdown imposed by the Prime Minister in the wake of tackling the coronavirus was a welcome step.
Congress President & CPP Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi writes a letter to PM Modi with suggestions that the govt should immediately undertake in this lockdown period. pic.twitter.com/YGsjUUFGKe
— Congress (@INCIndia) March 26, 2020
“As President of the Indian National Congress, I would like to state that we will support and collaborate fully with every step taken by the Union Government to ensure the containment of the pandemic,” Sonia Gandhi said.
She further added, “At this challenging and uncertain time, it was imperative for each one of us to rise above partisan interests and honor our duty towards our country and indeed, towards humanity.”
“It is in the spirit of solidarity and cooperation therefore, that I would like to suggest some measures that I believe will help us address the massive health crisis we are about to face and to ameliorate the immense economic and existential pain that vulnerable sections of our society will soon be subjected to,” the Congress President said.
She also stressed on the necessity of providing doctors, nurses, and health workers with personal protective equipment, consisting of N95 masks and Hazmat suits.
“Let us ensure the opening and scaling up of manufacture and supply of these items so that not a single health professional faces the predicament of contracting or passing on COVID-19 owing to unavailability of ‘Personal Protection Equipment’,” Gandhi added.
Mentioning that many companies and businesses were laying off their contractual and regular employees, Gandhi said, “It would be in order for the Union Government to immediately put in place broad-based social protection measures, including direct cash transfer, to these sections to tide over the period of difficulty.”
She also sought deferment of all loan recoveries for the next 6 months from farmers as well as salaried class.
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