Coronavirus Lockdown: Sonia Gandhi Draws Attention Of PM Modi Towards Plight Of Migrant Workers

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Friday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi drawing his attention towards the plight of migrant workers amidst the lockdown. It is to be noted that PM Modi had on Tuesday announced a complete lockdown in the country amidst rising cases of coronavirus (COVID-19). Therefore, Railway services and domestic and international flights services are suspended till April 14, 2020.

In a letter to PM Modi, Sonia Gandhi said, "Lakhs of migrant workers are being forced to walk hundreds of miles as there is no public transport available. Several others are stuck on guest houses or hotels and have run out of money to pay their costs. This lockdown is beginning to have a detrimental effect on such fellow citizens. It’s my earnest appeal that a national advisory be issued to assist those who are trapped in transit. I am taking the liberty to suggest two such measures."

Suggesting two measures, Sonia Gandhi said, "One time State transport services be made available to those who are walking to their home towns or villages. District Collectors to extend all possible assistance to those who can no longer afford to stay in lodges or guest houses."

"The citizens of our country are making tremendous sacrifices for a better tomorrow. Therefore we must make all efforts to ensure that the purpose of the lockdown is not defeated by making the most vulnerable beat its cost," the Congress president concluded.

Congress President & CPP Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi writes to PM Modi drawing his attention towards the plight of migrant workers amidst the lockdown. pic.twitter.com/vaEmdAlao1

— Congress (@INCIndia) March 27, 2020

Early today, Sonia Gandhi offered her MPLADs fund for the welfare of the people of Rae Bareli in fighting the coronavirus outbreak. In a letter to the Rae Bareli district magistrate, Gandhi asked him to use the funds as per the requirement of the constituency.

In the meantime, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also posted a video on Twitter seeking help from government for the migrant labourers.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an advisory asking all states and Union territories (UTs) to prevent a mass exodus of migrant agriculture labourers, industrial workers and unorganised sector employees from their workplaces to hometowns. The MHA also urged all state governments and UTs to make arrangements for uninterrupted supply of essential commodities to hotels, working women hostels so that they continue to live in existing facilities.

Also Read: Coronavirus Outbreak Live Updates: Singapore Calls Off Shangri-La Dialogue For First Time LIVE

The death count in India has reached 18 due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus in the country. According to the latest update, 724 cases of coronavirus has been reported in India.

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