'Eco reconstruction task-force' needed to face Corona challenges, says Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

In a letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Congress leader said this is the period of wheat harvesting and the farmers are perturbed as to how will that happen.

Although the permission to harvest crops through combine machine has been granted in the state, the owners of these machines are scared of the administration.

Most drivers of these machines come from other states and hence, arrangements should be made for their arrival.

Farmers are harvesting crops during night in the absence of correct information and fear of fines, she said.

She said that the dues of the sugarcane farmers should be immediately paid and guarantee of purchasing the upcoming crops should also be given.

Her letter further stated that in the recent days, farmers had to face the plight of unseasonal rains and hailstorms. The UP government had also announced compensation but, so far, the farmers have not received the same.

The letter prominently stated that the farmers should be provided immediate compensation for the losses so that they get some relief.

Vadra said the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus has also brought along an economic crisis, adding that the glass, brass, carpet, weaving, furniture, leather, hosiery, dairy, clay pot, fishery-hatchery and other household industries had suffered a major setback in the state.

Lakhs of weavers are in a terrible condition in the state, she said.

Citing the deteriorating condition of the labourers and small industries, she appealed to the CM that an ‘Economic Reconstruction Task-Force’ of well-known experts in the field of economics and planning should be formed for the economic reconstruction of the state.

This task-force will prepare a road-map for the economic reconstruction to tackle the economic challenges that come with this epidemic.

Further, Vadra said that the unregistered labourers should also be provided the guarantee of economic assistance as many labourers are not getting the benefits of any relief plan as they are not registered.

She said active MGNREGA workers are getting free ration which is an appreciable initiative but they are not getting any economic assistance. Now, it was necessary that an economic package be announced for the MGNREGA workers, the Congress leader said.