Stop drama, help migrants with their bags: Nirmala snubs Rahul
Calling Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s meeting with a group of migrants in Delhi a “drama,” Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman merely sitting and talking to them when they walk to their natives barefoot in the heat will not serve any purpose.
Dubbing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent chat with a group of travelling migrant labourers on a Delhi highway “drama,” Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said merely sitting and talking to the workers when they walk to their native state barefoot in the heat, will not serve any purpose.
Taking a dig at Gandhi during her press conference on the Centre’s stimulus package on Sunday (May 17), the finance minister asked him to rather help the migrants with their bags or walk with them. “Go walk with them, pick up their bags rather than sitting next to them and talking to them,” she added.
She also wondered why the Congress was not doing anything for migrants in states ruled by it.
“I want to ask the Congress party, why is it not doing anything more for these migrant labourers in the states ruled by them or where they have alliances. Make arrangements for more trains where you can, help them. Ask for more trains from the Centre,” the finance minister said.
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The opposition has been vocal in criticising the Centre’s efforts in the country’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic and their handling of the situation of migrants.
While announcing the fifth and final tranche of the Centre’s ₹20 lakh crore economic stimulus package on Sunday, Sitharaman urged the Opposition to come together and help migrants in the time of crisis.
“I am urging the opposition party very politely, folding my hands and requesting them here. We must all come together and help migrant labourers in this crisis. We ensured that lakhs of migrant workers reach their native places, get food, essentials. Yet many are on the roads, walking back home, it is painful,” she said.
Related news: Congress claims migrant workers detained after Rahul Gandhi met them
On Saturday, the Congress claimed that the police detained some migrant workers after party leader Rahul Gandhi interacted with them near the Sukhdev Vihar flyover in Delhi, enquiring them about their ordeal. However, according to reports, Delhi police denied making any such detentions.
Among the major announcements in the final tranche was the ₹40,000 crore hike in the MGNREGA budget to ensure that labourers who are migrating back to their home states get work there.
As part of the government’s initiative to ramp up health infrastructure, Sitharaman said infectious diseases blocks will be built in all district hospitals.
She also announced that public health labs will be set up at block level in every district, particularly in view of the lack of testing facilities in rural areas.
