The Congress believes that the country’s preparations to fight the coronavirus are inadequate and that the government has wasted precious time over the past few weeks despite the global alert.
Most Congress leaders feel a comprehension action plan should have been put in place at least two weeks ago, before Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with neighbouring countries.
The Congress believes that even the Prime Minister’s direct involvement has failed to activate the systems because of misplaced priorities.
Former Union minister P. Chidambaram has continued to insist that a complete lockdown is inevitable and praised the efforts of some chief ministers more than the Centre’s in a clear signal of dissatisfaction.
Chidambaram, a Congress spokesperson, said in a series of tweets on Saturday: “I compliment Tamil Nadu for closing its borders. The chief minister should be bold and announce a lockdown immediately. I compliment Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray for getting close to a lockdown.
“This is not the time for a step-by-step approach. Be bold, and lock down all towns and cities. Once Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra announce lockdowns, the Centre may find the courage to act decisively.”
He added: “ICMR (Indian Council of Medial Research) says that the disease is still at Stage 2 in India. This is the moment to act. Let us not allow this moment to pass without decisive action and regret later.”
Rahul Gandhi, whose repeated highlighting of the need to act decisively has attracted BJP accusations of fear-mongering, again expressed his dissatisfaction with the government’s approach.
“Coronavirus is a severe attack on our delicate economic system. Small and medium businessmen and daily-wage earners are the worst affected. They won’t get assistance by clapping,” he tweeted.
Modi had urged all Indians to move to their balconies or windows for five minutes at 5pm on Sunday and applaud —by “thali-taali” (clapping, beating metal plates or bells) — those risking their lives in the service of the common people.
“Big economic packages including cash relief, tax break and deferment of loan payment are required. Take steps immediately,” Rahul added.
A message on the Congress’s official Twitter handle said: “A considerable delay has been seen by the government in announcing a financial package but it is the need of the hour for millions of people & industries. Every day that the government drags its feet, the economy loses millions.
“Nations across the world have taken significant steps to ensure their hospitals and people have access to ventilators. Steps include asking automobile & military engineers to manufacture healthcare equipment. India must take stock & act now.”
The Congress also suggested a financial package for daily-wage earners, the supply of free rations, a moratorium on loans of all nature, and advance payment of rural job scheme wages.
It also sought compensation packages for the aviation, hospitality and animal husbandry sectors.
Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh has demanded the free distribution of rations for the poor for certain periods when they are unable to get work. He has also sought the involvement of the private sector and private hospitals in the fight against the coronavirus.
The Congress believes the government should have assessed well in advance, by mid-February probably, the country’s requirement of health-care personnel, equipment, medicines and quarantine facilities during a possible Stage 3 and placed the relevant orders. Orders for testing kits have been placed only now.
Senior Congress leader Ajay Maken underlined that India’s testing record was just better than Pakistan’s in terms of the tests performed per million population.
Several Congress leaders privately criticised Modi’s “thali-taali” idea as one diverting focus from the vital concerns. They described the one-day curfew on Sunday too as inexplicable, arguing what the country needed was a sustained lockdown.
