Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 25

Former Home Minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram today urged everyone to back Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stay-at-home call, saying the PM was the commander and people foot soldiers in the fight against Covid.

“PM’s announcement for a nationwide 21-day lockdown is a watershed moment in the battle against Covid-19. We should put behind us the debates that took place before March 24 and look upon the nationwide lockdown as the beginning of a new battle in which the people are the foot soldiers and the Prime Minister is the Commander. We owe a duty to extend our total support to the Prime Minister, the Central and state governments,” Chidambaram said.

He suggested a 10-point plan to ease stress on the marginalised who would be the worst hit in the lock down period. The plan, he said, was intended to put cash and food in the hands of the poor and vulnerable.

The ex-minister suggested that farmers’ income be doubled under PM-KISAN to Rs 12,000 and transferred to bank accounts. “Bring tenant farmers under PM-KISAN. Give registered MGNREGA workers Rs 3,000,” he said.

For the urban poor, Chidambaram said Jan Dhan accounts with urban branches of banks must be transferred with Rs 6,000 each. “Offer to every ration card holder 10 kg of rice or wheat for free as a one-time measure for the next 21 days. Arrange for home delivery,” he said.

The Congress leader also asked the government to guarantee reimbursement to employers who ensure wages to people amid lockdown.

Further, the former minister sought instructions to banks to extend the date for EMI payment until June 30 and cut GST rates by 5 per cent on all wage goods, essential goods and services, and all goods of mass consumption also until June 30.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said NYAY scheme was the need of the hour.