Lockdown shows same haste as in demonetization: Congress

New Delhi, March 29 (IANS) After the Prime Minister on Sunday offered his apology for the inconvenience caused to people following a countrywide lockdown, the Congress attacked the government for “inept handling” of the situation and and high prices of testing kits for Covid-19.

Party’s senior spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the testing kits are priced at Rs 4,500 apiece in India. “Please don’t mock our poor as anybody who is not financially sound cannot afford such a costly test,” he said.

The Congress also attacked the government over the lockdown. “The lockdown was announced with the same haste with which demonetisation was done,” said Singhvi

“Did you not think about migrant workers, daily wage labourers? Because of your actions, more than 1 crore people are on the streets. How can you then talk about social distancing?” asked Singhvi.

The party alleged that the financial package announced by the Modi Government is barely 0.5% of our GDP, as opposed to a financial package announced by the US which is 15% of their GDP.

The party said the government should help the stranded people and in Punjab, we are sending buses for the distressed students who have come from Jammu and similar measures are being taken in Chhattisgarh and other Congress-ruled states. Exemplary work is being done by Congress workers in helping people,” said Singhvi.

The Congress said when flights can be dispatched to bring back Indians stuck abroad, why can’t road transport be arranged for the poor who are walking the streets to get back home?” asked Simghvi.

“We request the Modi government to heed the suggestions being offered by the Congress and do something about the stranded workers,” said Singhvi.

–IANS

miz/prs