The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
The Covid pandemic continues to surge across the country uncontrollably. Immediate steps are required in order to contain the growing number of deaths and overcome shortages in health facilities.
The Central Government cannot abstain from its responsibility by blaming the people for not following the protocol, or, shifting the blame on to the state governments. The Central government must immediately ban mass congregations of all hues; strictly regulate implementation of protocol in election meetings; organize special trains for free passage of all migrant workers to their homes; release extra resources and all funds collected in the PM Cares to augment health facilities; and intensify mass vaccination on an urgent basis.
This situation is also compounding people’s livelihood conditions imposing greater miseries. The government should provide relief to people by immediate direct cash transfers of Rs. 7500 per month and free distribution of food grains to all needy and vastly expand the MNREGA programme. An urban guarantee programme should be started at the earliest.
These measures are the least required to be done immediately.
The PB of the CPI(M) calls upon the Prime Minister and the Central government to implement at least these measures on a war footing.