COVID-19: Sonia Gandhi writes to PM Modi; seeks advance payment to MGNREGA workers

Congress President Sonia Gandhi wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on urgency of providing income to rural poor and suggested that MGNREGA payment be made in advance. This comes as country is gripped with surge in cases of Coronavirus, taking total to over 1600.

Expressing distress over plight of poor in country, Congress President urged PM Modi to take immediate action and extend support to nearly eight crore rural workers in country.

"Social Distancing rms have rendered all works unfeasible during lockdown. Furrmore, even after work commences, MGNREGA workers have to wait for more than a month to recieve ws," letter added.

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Coronavirus Pandemic 

As of date, India has reported over 1,600 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. Out of all states, Kerala and Maharashtra have reported most in country. Meanwhile, around 38 people have died so far due to deadly virus. Furr, India has also closed India-Pakistan border and restricted passenger movement at border with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar, apart from barring all incoming international flights. Due to Coronavirus crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24 anunced a nationwide lockdown for 21 days in order to curb spread of virus. 

At present, re are around 871,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 which has led to death of around 43,200 people across world. Meanwhile, around 184,482 people have reportedly recovered. US is at top of charts with respect to Coronavirus cases, with over 1.8 lakh people infected with virus.

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