COVID-19: Cong demands special package for MSMEs, agriculture sector

Congress on Sunday demanded a special pack for MSME and agriculture sectors, besides more testing and medical facilities amid a spurt in coronavirus cases.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said special incentives should be given to doctors and paramedics working in this tough situation. Thanking people to show gratitude to health and or essential service providers with sounds of bells, conches and claps this evening, Surjewala demanded that government provide health workers personal protection equipment like masks and gloves.

"Through social media, Let us w demand from government that personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) like N95 masks, Gloves, Face Shields, Goggles, He Covers, Rubber Boots, Disposable Gowns etc are provided to health workers so that y can avoid coronavirus infection," he said in a series of tweets. "We are proud of our doctors, nurses and supporting staff, special financial incentives should be given to m for risking ir lives in ir fight against coronavirus. government should anunce it immediately," he said.

Congress spokesperson said government should arrange equate number of ventilators for coronavirus patients as presently only 30,000 ventilators are available for population of 130 crore. "About 95 per cent of those ventilators are alrey in use for patients suffering from or diseases," he said.

"equate number of isolation beds should be arranged so that y may be treated and infection does t spre. So far only 1 Isolation bed is available to 84,000 countrymen, which is quite insufficient," he ted.

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He said samples of all people under surveillance and those coming into contact with coronavirus patients should be tested and a strict action must be taken against black marketeers of masks and sanitisers. "Lakhs of daily w labourers, MGNREGA workers, hoc- temporary workers, farmers and those working in urganized sector have lost ir employments due to COVID-19. Government should provide direct cash financial help to m," he said.

He said agriculture sector, biggest employment generator, has suffered a setback due to COVID-19. " unseasonal rains and hailstorms across India have furr ded to ir woes. Government must anunce a special relief pack for agriculture sector," he demanded.

Surjewala ted that shopkeepers, businessmen, especially MSMEs have suffered huge losses due to COVID-19. " government should provide special relief pack in which necessary tax breaks, interest subvention and deferment of liabilities should be provided to m," he tweeted.

He also pointed out that middle class and salaried people are facing serious problems due to COVID-19. "Monthly EMI is way for most facilities for m. Government must consider a deferment of EMIs for m," he demanded.