Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 8: Asking both Centre and J&K Administration to be “more serious” amid concerns over rising number of novel coronavirus cases, former Minister and senior Congress leader Raman Bhalla has urged the Government to come forward and help poorest among poor on priority.
“For the time being, the Government’s first priority should be to help the weakest sections of society when businesses, large and small, and the middle class are clamouring for mega relief measures, suited to their needs, due to the significant economic impact of Covid-19 pandemic. In this regard, a clear distinction in the provision of aid for the urban and the rural poor must be made so that resources are better allocated amongst the poor,” he stressed while visiting Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar and Bhour Camp Ward No-73 to listen to public grievances.
Observing that urban poor in Jammu are bearing the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic due to loss of income coupled with dismal living conditions, Bhalla said that the effect of this lockdown and of the spread of the virus are devastating for slum dwellers. “From no jobs and lack of food to no social distancing due to the dire living conditions, the urban poor of J&K are facing it all,” he said and asked the Govt to work for the rights of the daily wage workers and urban poor.
Being on the ground every day, raising awareness and distributing food to hundreds of homeless people and slum dwellers, Bhalla revealed that people are struggling to survive the lockdown and are panicked about their future, their next meal, health and future of their children and keeping themselves safe from the virus.
Former Minister urged Govt to ensure complete synergy between the civil administrations and Police so that people do not face any inconvenience. “Government should go to each and every needy person’s house and provide them with ration,” he said and urged the Central Government to announce a relief package for the “poorest of the poor” by transferring a lump sum amount of cash into the accounts of the needy.
Bhalla observed that until a vaccine is found to cure the deadly pandemic, relaxations should not be misused. “Proactively striking a balance between resuming economic activities and keeping a control on the infection is likely to be the optimal strategy until effective vaccines become widely available,” he explained.
Prominent among those present on the occasion, include Block president Jatinder Singh Chib, Block President Amrit Bali, G S Sodhi, Jasbir Singh Bitti and others.
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