DUSU expressed concern regarding payment of rent. DUSU along with 128 other college reprensentatives have asked the CM to intervene in the matter. Moreover, they have brought into picture the plight of students living as paying guests (PG) or in rented flats. The PG’s still demand rent despite announcements made by the government. Such students are asked either to pay the rent or else they will have to vacant the same. This is happening amidst the lockdown. Most of these students are in their hometown as of now. Yet they are asked to take their belongings and leave.

DUSU has asked the CM to release policies to make it easy for such students by writing the letter to the Chief Minister. The same was issued by DUSU on June 4. Furthermore, a special package was demanded for such students as concession. And this money should be directly transferred to their accounts.

Akshat Dahiya, the President of DUSU also expressed his concern regarding the same. He stated, ” Since DUSU is a student-friendly and responsible platorm, it is our duty to provide relief to students”. He further added, ” DUSU has asked the government to intervene in the matter. We have further appealed the state government to provide with financial package. We are looking forward to the decision of the Chief Minister.”

The Student Tenants’ Union, Delhi had earlier brought attention to this issue. The same conducted a survey, which mentioned around 1069 students living as tenants in the city. Out of this 69.3 per cent reported being forced to pay rent during lockdown.

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Due to the pandemic, the challenges for the poverty-stricken folks have raised to an unusual level and not affecting much to the bourgeoisie class in terms of social and economic factors. The working class of our society is under tremendous pressure be it a social pressure or an economic crisis. Their substandard living is one basic reason for their migration. The nation wide lockdown has made them helpless, compelling them to migrate to their hometowns.

The Madras High Court has also questioned the Tamil Nadu government as well as the Central government about the safety and security of the migrants. Whereas on the other side, these workers are showing their rage by coming out on the streets, pelting stones and demanding for their safety.

Various steps are taken by the government authorities to help the innocents like the 20 lakh crore package, various food packages, Pravasi Rahat Mitra App to trace the movement of the migrants in UP. People from outside the territory as well as within are brought back through various missions like that of mission “Samudra Setu” and the mission “Vande Bharat”. But still the feeling of dismay and sorrow couldn’t abandon the faces of the migrant labourers.
Now, let’s pay attention towards the factors acting as barriers between government and the migrants.

1) Demographic factors : As compared to other countries India is potentially rich in terms of it’s population having 130 crores individuals. Reaching to the masses could be viewed as a great problem.

2) Political scenario : Being in a democracy it is a legal right of any individual or political party to criticize the government in working to enhance their efforts but looking at the contemporary hardships that are confronted by the migrants, the right to humanity should be prioritise. Rather than being involved in the blame game, one must consider this disheartening phase as a human tragedy and should keep their political structures aside. More importance is needed to be laid on the well-being of these workers.

3) Lack of awareness : Lack of education is a major problem with our people. This in turn leads to lack of awareness about the happenings of the society. This prevents the weaker sections to gain the benefits provided by the governments.

This phase requires the humanitarian aid rather then waiting for the measures being adopted by the government. It is more about survival rather than intensifying economy and political stabilization.

The post The Real Issues of the Indigenous Labourers appeared first on DU Times.

A total of nine major announcements were made under the second tranche. The announcements were focused on migrant workers, street vendors, small traders, small farmers, and self-employed people. The measures announced today are as follows:

1. Free food grain supply to migrants for 2 months: The Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the government will provide free food grains to the migrants in various states. According to the data, about 8 crore migrants are expected to benefit and the government will also spend up to Rs 3,500 crore for this intervention. The state governments will be responsible for the implementation and distribution of these food grains.

2. Enabling migrants to use Ration Card anywhere in the country: The FM mentioned that technology systems will be used to enable migrants to access the public distribution system for buying ration at any fair price shop in India. She added that 67 crore citizens in 23 states, or 83 percent of the PDS population, will benefit from this measure by August 2020.

3. Affordable rental accommodation for the urban poor: The FM added that the government will launch a scheme for affordable rental housing complexes under the Prime Minister’s Awas Yojana for migrant labourers and urban poor. Under this measure, the government will incentivize manufacturing units, industries, and institutions to develop and operate such affordable complexes on their private land. The Centre will also incentivize state government agencies similarly.

4. Interest subvention for MUDRA-Shishu Loans: It has also been announced that prompt payees under the MUDRA-Shishu loan scheme will be given an interest subvention of 2 percent for a period of 12 months. This, coupled with the RBI’s loan moratorium, will give them a relief of up to Rs 1,500 crore, the Finance Minister said.

5. Special credit facility for street vendors: The government will also launch a special scheme within a month to facilitate easy access to credit for street vendors. This measure will provide an initial working capital of up to Rs 10,000 to restart their businesses which have been adversely impacted due to the Coronavirus pandemic lockdown. This is expected to support 50 lakh street vendors and will provide liquidity of up to Rs 5,000 crore, Sitharaman said.

6. Extending credit-linked subsidy scheme on Home Loans: The credit linked subsidy scheme for those people earning between Rs 6-18 lakh annually has now been extended from March 2020 to March 2021. The scheme provides a subsidy to middle-income earners on affordable home loan interest rates. Earlier, almost 3.3 lakh families have benefited from this scheme and the extension will benefit another 2.5 lakh middle income families.

7. The government will use CAMPA funds of Rs 6,000 crore to push employment: Sitharaman said that the Rs 6,000 crore lying in the Compensatory Afforestation Fund will be used to push employment opportunities in urban, semi-urban and rural areas. This measure will help create job opportunities for tribals and adivasis.

8. Additional Rs 30,000 crore to be provided for crop loans through NABARD: The FM said that the government will give Rs 30,000 crore as additional emergency working capital for farmers through the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. These additional funds will help up to 3 crore small and marginal farmers.

9. Concessional credit of up to Rs 2 lakh crore for Kisan Credit Card holders: The last measure for the second tranche announced today was that a special drive will be undertaken to provide concessional credit to PM-KISAN beneficiaries through Kisan Credit Cards. Up to 2.5 crore farmers will be covered under this measure and will benefit from a credit flow of about Rs 2 lakh crore.

The post Rebooting India: Tranche 2 of the Finance Ministry’s Blueprint appeared first on DU Times.

Yesterday, PM modi held a six hour long meeting with Chief ministers of states on plans post 17 May. The current nationwide lockdown is due to end on 17th of May.

The two crucial points of his speech were as follows :

1) Lockdown 4.0
The Prime minister announced lockdown 4.0 after May 17, which would be special and completely different, with new rules.

He said that in Lockdown 4.0, we will wear masks, fight the virus and move forward. This will be based on suggestions by the state, details of which will be informed after 18th May.

2) Mission Self Reliant India
The Prime Minister announced a 20 lakh crore rupees economic package to deal with the Coronavirus crisis. 20 lakh crore is 10% of India’s GDP. This will help make India self reliant. The package will be for sectors in which crores depend for livelihood. Farmers, MSMEs, Indian Industry etc. Finance Minister Normal Sitharaman will Inform in detail from tomorrow.

In his speech, he talked about India’s resolve, power and competence in the world and in dealing with the crisis. He emphasizes on how self reliance is the only way out of this crisis. He claims about how India has turned this crisis into an opportunity. To explain he gave the example of how when the crisis started, not a single PPE kit was made in India and N-95 masks were produced in negligible numbers. Today in India, 2 lakh PPE Kits and 2 lakh N-95 masks are produced.

India can become self-reliant. This would be based on 5 pillars:
a) Economy: An economy that takes quantum jumps and not incremental gains.
b) Infrastructure: Infrastructure is synonymous with a modern India.
c) Our system: A system that helps us realise dreams, which is based on tech-driven facilities.
d) Demography: Vibrant demography our strength.
e) Demand: The demand and supply chain, we need to utilise the potential. We need to increase demand in the nation. Each stakeholder must be active.

He wants to make sure that the crisis affects agriculture in the least possible manner. He wants to enhance human resources and financially strengthen them. These reforms will attract investment and help make in India.

India also needs to compete for a place in the global supply chain. Keeping this mind, various provisions have been made which will increase efficiency across sectors.

He acknowledged the sacrifice of hawkers, workers and helps, who have faced difficulty in this time. He says it’s our duty to work in their interests, and thus, certain key announcements will be made, for the poor, workers, be it fisherman, from the formal or informal sector.

He said we need to realize the importance of the local supply chain. Local met our demands and saved us. He said it’s time to be vocal for local. We need to buy local products. He supported this by saying that he recollects that he had asked citizens to buy khadi and to support handloom workers; and in a short time, demand and sales touched record levels. We made it into a big brand.

He concludes his speech by saying how much he believes in the strength of 1.3 billion people of the nation. We will move ahead with strength and determination. We will make India self reliant. With faith and hope, he urged citizens to take care of their health and the ones around them.

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