The Left parties, CPI(M) and CPI, on Tuesday criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not coming out with clear cut plans for the economic and relief packages to the country, labour, poor people while announcing extension of lockdown to May 3.
“The Prime Minister listed seven tasks that the people should implement during the extended lockdown. However, he did not spell out concretely what the Government will do,” said the CPI(M) politbureau in statement.
“The experience of the three-week lockdown has shown the large scale spread of hunger and inadequate shelter for a significant section of our people. It is imperative that the Government must immediately implement a Rs 7,500 ex-gratia cash transfer to all non-Income Tax paying families and resort to universal distribution of free foodgrains to all needy people. The Central Government must ensure that no starvation deaths occur.
“The financial package of Rs 1.7 lakh crore announced so far is very meager. It amounts to less than 1 per cent of the country’s GDP. The cash transfers to various sections announced by the FM have not materialised,” the CPI (M) said.