CPIML Bihar State Secretary said in a statement on 2 July 2020 that the BJP-JDU government has abdicated all responsibility. Nitish Kumar had said that migrant workers would be provided work according to their skills and abilities inside Bihar itself. But nothing of the sort has happened. The government is neither getting Corona tests done; nor is it arranging for employment for migrant workers. Work is also unavailable in MNREGA. As a result, on the one hand Corona infection is increasing exponentially in Bihar; and on the other hand migrant workers have started returning to other States where there is no guarantee of employment for them.
In his recent addresses to the nation, the Prime Minister has said not a word about employment, livelihood, or income of the poor and migrant workers. It is nothing but a cruel joke to dismiss the poor with provision of a fistful of grains. For a long time, the people of the country have been demanding that all families outside the income tax ambit should be given Rs 7500 monthly for the next 6 months; 10 kgs food grains per person for 6 months; 200 days’ work and Rs 500 minimum wages in MNREGA; and means for employment and livelihood. But the Prime Minister has disappointed the people.
The Prime Minister said in his address that 5 kg food grains would be given monthly. On an average, this comes to 166 gms food grains per person per day. The Prime Minister should also tell the people how a person can eat 3 meals per day on 166 gms food grains.
It appears that the government considers that the poor have no need for salt, oil, vegetables, clothing, medical treatment, education and health care for their children. Every person has a right to nourishing and filling meals. This government that talks big about ‘self-reliance’ should first make arrangements for adequate food for the people of the country. In his address the Prime Minister said nothing about loan waivers for farmers.
It is also objectionable for the Prime Minister to have linked the religious festivals of a particular community with the government scheme. Such utterances make it crystal clear that he is bothered less about the welfare of the people and more about the Bihar elections.
