Reminding the BJP of the promise of loan waiver for farmers made by it ahead of assembly elections of 2017, the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president, Pritam Singh has said that it is high time when the BJP Government of Uttarakhand should fulfil this promise. Talking to media persons at the state headquarters of the Congress party on Monday, Singh said that the lock-down has adversely affected the farmers and in such a scenario, the Government should waive off their loans. “It is very important to keep the morale of the farmers’ high and their economic condition stable as they are bread providers of the country. The State Government should increase the minimum support price of the food-grains and clear pending dues of the sugarcane farmers,’’ he said. Singh added that the crop of wheat is ready in the fields for harvesting so the Government should start procurement centres.
The PCC president said that complaints of Asha workers and sanitation workers non availability of face masks, sanitizers and other equipment are unfortunate. He said that all those who are in frontline in the fight against novel Coronavirus should be provided good quality masks, sanitizers, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits and gloves in sufficient numbers. All these corona warriors should be adequately insured.
Singh said that under the prevailing circumstances it is highly unlikely that the world famous Char Dham Yatra would commence on scheduled dates. He said that the shopkeepers, those associated with hotel industry and others would be hit hard by the adverse effect of COVID-19 on Yatra this year. Singh said that the economy would get the battering and it is for the government to make plans so that it comes back on track.
The PCC president also demanded that more ration per unit should be provided to the poor. He said that the ration provided per card is not sufficient. “The daily wage earners and those doing small jobs and business are the hardest hit by the lock-down. Under the prevailing circumstances arrangement for more food grain should be made in the ration shops so that such families tide over the situation,’’ he said.
The PCC president said that all the followers of the Tablighi Jamat who had attended the congregations in Delhi and other areas should come forward and help in fight against the COVID-19. He said that getting tested is the only way of preventing the spread of infection.
On extension of lock-down enforced in the state to break the infection cycle of the disease, Pritam Singh said that he is in favour of extension and the state government too has recommended the same to the union government. He however added that the state government should not remain dependent on the union government and make its own decisions based on the situation.