Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 10: Fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of the leader of poor and downtrodden in this hour of crisis, former Minister today continued distributing ration and other necessary items among needy and poor families of Gandhi Nagar Constituency at Bahu Fort, Gorkha Nagar, in Kalika Colony Ward 48, here.
Prominent among those who accompanied Bhalla included IYC Secretary Latish Sharma, DCC General Secretary Urban Aman Bawa, DCC General Secretary Urban Jatin Vashisht, Rahul Salhotra, Sanjay Gupta Murli Satish Kumar, Ankush Sharma, Rohit Bhagat, Mulakh Raj, Dewan Chand, Chman Lal and Chet Ram.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla said that while the whole world is facing the challenge of COVID-19 and everybody understands that the only possible solution for now is to break the chain to stop spreading the infection through social distancing.
“We as a country are taking these measures in the interest of each and every citizen. However, at the same time, we need to think about the poorest of the poor people of our country, especially, daily wagers who survive and live hand to mouth,” Bhalla said.
He demanded Government of India and the J&K Government to quickly make concrete plans and allocate funds and distribution mechanism for underprivileged section of the society without any discrimination as they were the worst sufferers.
He said privileged or economically well off in the country will survive through this period by locking themselves in their houses / apartments but their sufferings of underprivileged were beyond imagination.
He said it was the Government’s responsibility to ensure that not a single citizen went hungry, adding that Government should provide ration to each and every needy person.
Bhalla demanded Central Government to announce a relief package for the poorest of the poor, who have been hit hard by the loss of jobs and income as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak.
“Keeping the poor and vulnerable safe is a matter of responsibility for the Govt and the private sector, not an act of charity. 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. The time has come for the Government to revive vital functions of the welfare state. And, it needs to minimise the concentration of power at the Centre in the name of maximum governance and maximise aid to the poor and vulnerable, instead of minimising Government,” Bhalla added.
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