By Special Correspondent
New Delhi: Welfare Party of India on Sunday criticised the Modi government and held it accountable for creating a man-made crisis which resulted in the exodus of migrant workers. Demanding a host of measures, it warned of riots for food if the problem is not properly addressed.
Party President Dr SQR Ilyas said the sudden announcement of 21day lockdown by the PM has created panic amongst the migrant workers as they set on foot to their hometowns in violations of the lockdown. This shows the people have no trust in agencies and they are walking a great distance to their homes exposing themselves and others to the impending danger and held government responsible for this self inflicted crises, he added.
He said the PM Modi is not aware of the ground realities and makes quick announcements with little consideration towards the consequences.
While the decision to quarantine was necessary as there is no cure available yet to the corona virus but strongly condemned that there was no planning and proper implementation to provide food, shelter and transport to the daily wagers who lost their livelihood due to the lockdown.
Dr Ilyas said the announcement by the Finance Minister to give an emergency relief fund package worth Rs 1 lakh 70 thousand crore is insufficient and there is a need to reach out to the poor and lamented that there is no mechanism in place.
He added that the world wide crises due to pandemic covid 19 has exposed the poor health care system in our country with inadequate number of doctors paramedical staff, beds, ill-equipped hospitals and grossly inadequate number of ventilators.
Dr Ilyas condemned the role of police who were brutally beating up the hungry and the destitute and urged the government to give strict orders to them from employing such unethical methods.
He said Welfare Party of India demands that the doctors and paramedical staff should be provided with adequate security and safety aids ; the government should look after the welfare of all its citizens including the poor and the marginalised Sections and the GDP towards health care in the country be increased to 5 %.
A safe transport mechanism be developed to help the migrant labourers to reach home and the central government should release foodgrains from the godowns of Food Corporation of India.