By Dr. Arun Mitra
With the onset of winter there is surge in the COVID cases. Delhi is already getting nearly 8000 cases every day. Now the cases are rising in other parts of the country as well. This is time when government needs to be very cautious, sympathetic and in solidarity with the people so as to minimize the number of cases and prevent deaths by giving timely medical care. People should take preventive measures like washing hands sanitizing hands wearing masks, keeping physical distance and avoid going to crowded places. These are important because it is a highly contagious infection. The doctors have warned about it several times.
In one of his addresses to the nation the Prime Minster had said that we should convert the COVID crises into opportunities although he did not specify the opportunities at that time. There was a general feeling that by opportunities he meant that the government will take steps to mitigate sufferings of the people as a result of lockdown. Crores of people lost their jobs and livelihood during the lockdown with many left at the mercy of social organisations for even single meal per day. There was expectation that those who had walked hundreds of kilo meters to reach home will be given substantial aid. Several groups including trade unions had demanded Rs.7500/- to each non tax payer during this crises. The farmers too had difficulty in selling their produce and expected government’s aid. The micro small and medium entrepreneurs asked for interest free loans so as to compensate their loss. They also asked to waive off interest on previous loans.
But contrary to this the government converted the COVID crises into opportunity to change labour laws against the interest of workers, to bring laws to push farmers to the mercy of corporates and depriving them of minimum support price for their produce. These laws were passed in the Parliament without debate. The anti- farmer ordinances were passed in the parliament when there was no opposition member in the house. The MSMEs did not get any interest free loan. Instead of waiving off interest on previous loans, the government imposed interest on interest. On the other hand doles worth lakhs of crores of rupees have been showered to the corporate sector while the poor workers got only 5 kg of grain and 1 kg daal.
Feeling the pinch people have started organising themselves and speaking for their rights. Workers observed nationwide strike on 26th November against the labour laws and for end to privatisation. The farmers are protesting against the anti-farmer laws. But instead of listening to them or holding a dialogue with them the government is out to crush their movement. The farmers were stopped from going to Delhi at the Punjab Haryana border and Delhi border by putting big stones on the way, throwing water cannons and teargas shells and erecting barricades of concertina and razor wires as if they are enemy troops marching to our capital. This is the fate of farmers and workers whose sons are laying down their lives at the international borders defending sovereignty of the nation.
Obviously in such times of mass movements the preventive measures from Corona go haywire. This increases the risk of infection. It is the duty of the government to see that such situations do not arise. People’s aspirations have to be met to avoid such movements and prevent the disease from surge. Banging of thalis, clapping or sounding shankhs or lighting diyas are gimmicks which can fool the people for a short period. It is wrong to expect from the people to observe preventive measures when leaders of the ruling party including the Prime Minister organise road shows defying all norms and forms of COVID disaster. Government should convert the crises into opportunity by enacting laws in favour of people, workers, employees and farmers if they are serious to prevent the surge in COVID-19. Otherwise the government’s apathy will push people to Corona infection. (IPA Service)