Covid-19: Migrant workers protest across India, demand to be sent back home

On Monday, stranded workers took to the roads demanding to be sent back home; several isolated stone pelting incidents were also reported

The Union Home Ministry allowed inter-state movement of migrant labourers and stranded tourists, pilgrims and students during the lockdown, last week. Even as the central and state governments are arranging trains and buses to ferry the migrants, several protests have errupted in several parts of the country. On Monday as well, stranded workers took to the roads demanding to be sent back home; several isolated stone pelting incidents were also reported.

In Telangana, on Monday, several migrant labourers were sent back to their native state from Golkonda limits of Hyderabad by buses. Out of them, 100 migrant labourers were sent to Jharkhand by two private buses. “There are about 6000 migrant labourers in Golconda limit and till now we have issued passes to about 500 members and will soon issue to others as well,” an inspector told ANI. “The migrants who want to leave with the help of government are sending a request online to the state govt, while the ones who are willing to go on their own are going to the police,” he added. In Andhra Pradesh, police resorted to lathi-charge at a large group of migrant workers, protesting in West Godavari district demanding to be sent to their home states. Over 300 migrant labourers held agitation and reportedly pelted stones at the police.

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Enthused by the huge response, South Western Railway (SWR) operated three more special trains from Bengaluru to ferry over 3500 stranded migrant workers. One train left for Jaipur, Rajasthan on Monday while two were sent to Danapur, Bihar. Three more trains for Bhubaneswar in Odisha, Danapur, and Hatia. “In all, 7,184 migrants were sent to different states in the past 36 hours. ” another official told IANS. A similar train to Howrah could not be run as the state government is waiting for a response from Bengal govt for receiving migrants and screening them on arrival…Read More

Covid-19 crisis: PM, FM to finalise details of second stimulus package soon

The stimulus package is expected anytime this week and will again be aimed at the urban and rural poor; disadvantaged sections of society; MSME sector; and some of the worst-affected sectors

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman are expected to meet soon to finalise the details of a second stimulus package to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on the economy, Business Standard has learnt. The meeting is also likely to be attended by senior officials from the finance ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office.

The stimulus package is expected anytime this week and will be aimed at the urban and rural poor; disadvantaged sections of society; micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); and some of the worst-affected sectors. Late last month, Sitharaman had announced a Rs 1.7 trillion stimulus package, which included measures like free foodgrain and direct cash transfers for targeted beneficiaries, and an increase in wages under the employment guarantee programme.

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A senior government official said this would not necessarily be the last Covid-related stimulus package. A call on further measures will be taken later, and could even be announced after the lifting of the lockdown. The measures that are being finalised could include easier access to credit for MSMEs, and further cash and food transfers, sources said. “There is a proposal for another hike in MGNREGA payments,” an official said. To create some rural jobs, officials said the construction of rural roads during the lockdown period, with the help of MGNREGA workers, was being considered. The resumption of economic activity from rural areas, they said, was the safest bet since Covid-19 hotspots were mostly centered in urban or semi-urban areas…Read Here More