India’s top economists, social scientists, workers’ organisations and former civil servants have appealed for urgent intervention from PM/CM of states to ameliorate the impact on Vulnerable Workers and Populations induced by COVID-19 lockout. The measures are as follows:
- The Centre and States together should try and ensure a minimum transfer of at least Rs 6,000 per month to each JDY woman account holder with a major part borne by the central government over the next three months.
- All State governments should ensure that at least 10 kg free ration per month, along with other necessary items, are available for all eligible households.
- Three to four fold increase of the current short-term relief package for impacted informal workers.
Amid the Coronavirus pandemic, while welcoming the central government’s Rs 1.7 trillion package and various measures taken by the State governments, the Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE) and the signatories to this letter strongly appeal to the government of India all these requests. In the letter to the Prime Minister and the State Chief ministers, we have proposed urgent additional measures that are required to address critical gaps that exist in the short-term relief measures announced so far.