CPM held stir in 19 dists to demand relief for poor

Ranchi: The CPI (M) on Saturday held demonstrations across 19 districts in Jharkhand to demand welfare measures for those affected by the pandemic and the resultant curtailment of economic activities. Carrying banners and posters, as many as 3,000 party workers demonstrated at 36 party offices, 677 residential premises and other places between 10 am and 11am.
CPI (M) state secretary Gopikant Bakshi said, “The protest, which we titled as Maang Diwas (Demand Day), was held to ensure that those falling below the income tax bracket are given Rs 7,500 per month for a period of six months. The Centre also needs to supply 10kg of food grains to the needy people, ensure speedy vaccination and stopping the Central Vista work in New Delhi.” He added, “Even though the Union government has allocated Rs 35,000 crore for the vaccination drive, it has now left the task of procuring the vaccines on the states. The Modi government is trying to avoid providing free vaccine to all the citizens.”
He said that several weeks have passed by since the deadly second wave started but the Modi government is not ready to correct its mistakes. He added that the Supreme Court has questioned the vaccination policy of the government and has asked it to determine the allocation of vaccines for the states.