Coronavirus lockdown: How can the poor survive without cash in hands, asks Chidambaram
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus lockdown: How can the poor survive without cash in hands, asks Chidambaram

The Hindu  

Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on Monday asked the Centre to explain how the poor could survive the lockdown without cash in hands. “If true, will the government please explain how the poor can survive the lockdown without cash in their hands to buy food and medicines. Interactive map of confirmed coronavirus cases in India “Centre won’t give money to States for livelihood support. We must condemn this callous attitude in the strongest terms.” The Congress leader said that the Centre could easily find up to ₹65,000 crore in its 2020-21 expenditure budget of over ₹30 lakh crore.

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History of this topic

The economic crisis is real; the picture of economic resilience is an illusion
3 years, 7 months ago

The economic crisis is real; the picture of economic resilience is an illusion

The Hindu  

As the ongoing second wave of coronavirus infections in India peaks, there is little clarity on what its economic fallout is and will be. Two assessments from official sources—one from the Reserve Bank of India, titled The State of the Economy and the other from the Ministry of Finance, titled Month Economic Report for May—seem to suggest that economic trends …

Livelihoods & Learning Must Not Take a Hit While Containing COVID-19. Here’s How We Can Do It
3 years, 7 months ago

Livelihoods & Learning Must Not Take a Hit While Containing COVID-19. Here’s How We Can Do It

News 18  

In the wake of unprecedented flare-up of COVID cases in the country during the second wave of the pandemic, lockdown is being considered as the last remaining weapon with the government. India’s economy went through a sharp GDP contraction in the quarter ending June 30, 2020, with an unprecedented 24.4 per cent y/y decline and led to unemployment rising sharply. …

Covid-19: Top economist says India might face 'serious livelihood crisis'
3 years, 7 months ago

Covid-19: Top economist says India might face 'serious livelihood crisis'

India Today  

India might be heading towards a “serious livelihood crisis” as the situation seems to be worse this time for the working class amid the COVID crisis and local restrictions by states already add up to something close to a nationwide lockdown, according to noted economist Jean Dreze. Read | V-shaped recovery unlikely as India’s economy faces tougher Covid test About …

Coronavirus | Maharashtra CM mulls lockdown with ‘minimum impact on economy’
3 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus | Maharashtra CM mulls lockdown with ‘minimum impact on economy’

The Hindu  

In view of the rise in fresh COVID-19 cases, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday asked officials to prepare a plan for implementation of a lockdown which will have a minimum impact on the economy on the recommendation of the State COVID-19 task force, an official release said. In a meeting held with the Chief Minster, Health Minister Rajesh …

Coronavirus lockdown | Death and hunger stalk village in Agra
4 years, 3 months ago

Coronavirus lockdown | Death and hunger stalk village in Agra

The Hindu  

The death of five-year-old Sonia Kumari last month allegedly due to starvation has brought media attention and controversy to the village of Nagla Vidhichand in Agra district of Uttar Pradesh. Till Sonia’s death last month, the family of five did not have a ration card nor did they get the rations promised by the government to the poor and vulnerable …

Lockdown Not an Attack on Covid-19, But on Poor, Death Sentence for Unorganised Sector: Rahul Gandhi
4 years, 4 months ago

Lockdown Not an Attack on Covid-19, But on Poor, Death Sentence for Unorganised Sector: Rahul Gandhi

News 18  

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said the lockdown was not an attack on coronavirus but on the poor people and proved to be a "death sentence" for the unorganised sector as it "finished" jobs and small businesses. It was an attack on the future of our youth," Gandhi said in a video series on the lockdown triggered by the …

Despite Facing Hardships, Survey Shows Rural India Satisfied with Govt's Handling of Covid-19 Crisis
4 years, 4 months ago

Despite Facing Hardships, Survey Shows Rural India Satisfied with Govt's Handling of Covid-19 Crisis

News 18  

Despite suffering from severe distress caused by the Covid-19 induced lockdown, more than 74% people in rural areas across 23 states have expressed satisfaction with the handling of the crisis by the Union government, a survey conducted by Gaon Connection and Centre for the Study of Developing Societies has found. “We wanted to measure the extent of hardships people faced …

Coronavirus-ravaged states seek for more funds from Centre
4 years, 6 months ago

Coronavirus-ravaged states seek for more funds from Centre

Live Mint  

India’s soaring coronavirus numbers are threatening its economic recovery and sharpening differences between states and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s federal government. While Punjab will receive ₹660 crore of the disaster relief fund, the amounts are “chicken feed” compared to the magnitude of the states’ needs, Badal said. Covid grant States could lose as much as ₹1.5 trillion of sales tax …

Coronavirus Outbreak Updates: Chief medical superintendent in UP's Ambedkar Nagar district succumbs to COVID-19; state reports 389 new cases today
4 years, 7 months ago

Coronavirus Outbreak Updates: Chief medical superintendent in UP's Ambedkar Nagar district succumbs to COVID-19; state reports 389 new cases today

Firstpost  

11:20 PM Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Coronavirus Pandemic Latest Updates In poor regions, easing virus lockdowns brings new risks As many countries gingerly start lifting their lockdown measures, experts worry that a further surge of the coronavirus in under-developed regions with shaky health systems could undermine efforts to halt the pandemic, and they say more realistic options are needed. Brazil, Mexico, …

Coronavirus home tips can’t work for poor
4 years, 7 months ago

Coronavirus home tips can’t work for poor

Live Mint  

Around 90% families in developing countries lack the facilities needed to follow the World Health Organization’s directives for protection against the coronavirus, a new study has found. The study, a working paper in the United States’ National Bureau of Economic Research, looks at amenities available to over a million families across 40 countries between 2010 and 2018. The researchers’ index …

Hunger, poverty and jobs: India's poor pay heavy price in fight against coronavirus
4 years, 7 months ago

Hunger, poverty and jobs: India's poor pay heavy price in fight against coronavirus

India Today  

More than two months have passed since the nationwide lockdown was put in place to fight the novel coronavirus. The sudden economic disruption triggered by the lockdown left almost 12 crore people in India — daily wager labourers, small shop owners, migrants — jobless in April, according to Centre For Monitoring Indian Economy. India’s poor need cash Public interest technologist …

India’s lockdown encouraged life-saving behavioural changes. Make them last
4 years, 7 months ago

India’s lockdown encouraged life-saving behavioural changes. Make them last

Hindustan Times  

It’s been about two months since the start of the world’s largest coronavirus disease lockdown – in India. Our data shows that compared to pre-coronavirus levels, mask usage went up to 90%; time spent indoors increased from 44% to 95%, and regular hand-washing became nearly universal The economic costs of the lockdown have been enormous, but there may have been …

Coronavirus | Congress to wait for fine print of ₹20 lakh crore financial package
4 years, 7 months ago

Coronavirus | Congress to wait for fine print of ₹20 lakh crore financial package

The Hindu  

Moments after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a financial package along with the extension of lockdown in a new form on Tuesday, the Congress said it would wait for the details for a detailed response but slammed Mr. Modi for the ‘lack of empathy’ towards migrant workers. Full coverage on coronavirus While Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the nation …

64 per cent of vulnerable households lack Jan Dhan A
4 years, 7 months ago

64 per cent of vulnerable households lack Jan Dhan A

New Indian Express  

FOLLOW CORONAVIRUS LIVE UPDATES HERE Jan Dhan was one of the measures to alleviate the economic crisis among the vulnerable sections owing to the lockdown - wherein Rs 500 was given to females with Jan Dhan accounts. Furthermore, the study revealed that just half of the rural and a third of the urban poor households received any cash transfers at …

Coronavirus | Why States don’t have enough money for the COVID-19 battle (and what the Centre can do) | The Hindu In Focus Podcast
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus | Why States don’t have enough money for the COVID-19 battle (and what the Centre can do) | The Hindu In Focus Podcast

The Hindu  

A running theme during this lockdown period and of the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in general so far is that decision-making has been largely centralised while the fact is that it is the States that bear responsibility for the real frontline battles against the pandemic. At different phases in our history there are ebbs and flow toward greater decentralisation …

Opinion | Locked down with a firm hand: Where is the healing touch?
4 years, 8 months ago

Opinion | Locked down with a firm hand: Where is the healing touch?

Live Mint  

The draconian nationwide lockdown, perhaps the most stringent in the world, which completed 40 days on 3 May, has been extended further until 17 May, with some relaxations in some districts. The focus on migrants, poor households and MSMEs, for whom survival is the issue, or state governments that can help them survive, is simply illustrative of a much larger …

Coronavirus could kill cash in 'months not years', expert warns
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus could kill cash in 'months not years', expert warns

The Telegraph  

There are now “months not years” to rescue the UK’s creaking cash infrastructure, the chief of an influential review has warned, after new research revealed coronavirus could change spending habits for good. As many as three in 10 people could stop using cash as a payment method following a massive decline in withdrawals during the pandemic, experts said, prompting fears …

Coronavirus Outbreak Highlights: Containment areas in Delhi rise to 84 after five more added on Monday, cases in capital rise to 2,003
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus Outbreak Highlights: Containment areas in Delhi rise to 84 after five more added on Monday, cases in capital rise to 2,003

Firstpost  

10:23 AM Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Coronavirus in India Latest Update For families of child sexual abuse survivors, lockdown makes dealing with trauma much more difficult The lockdown due to the novel coronavirus outbreak has greatly added to the woes of families of child sexual abuse survivors in Mumbai, a recent study by NGO Aarambh India Initiative has found. As part …

Lockdown protects the well-off, but what about those who face hunger, homelessness or poor health?
4 years, 8 months ago

Lockdown protects the well-off, but what about those who face hunger, homelessness or poor health?

The Hindu  

Communicable diseases, we know, affect socio-economically disadvantaged communities disproportionately. And so lockdown and social distancing were rapidly established as the one-size-fits-all response to COVID-19 globally — despite the variations in the impact of the disease and the serious social consequences of such measures. While these measures protect people by reducing and slowing down transmission, what has also become quickly apparent …

Coronavirus lockdown | Maharashtra seeks ₹10,000 crore for 5 months
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus lockdown | Maharashtra seeks ₹10,000 crore for 5 months

The Hindu  

Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday sent an SOS to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the Centre to rescue Maharashtra from an economic mess as a result of the lockdown following the novel coronavirus outbreak. The Centre should provide an economic subsidy of ₹10,000 crore each for the next five months, increase the cap on fiscal …

Reeling under lockdown in Europe, Indians rely on experience, govt healthcare to stay safe and informed about coronavirus
4 years, 8 months ago

Reeling under lockdown in Europe, Indians rely on experience, govt healthcare to stay safe and informed about coronavirus

Firstpost  

It is not just the poor alone who are taking time to wrap their head around the long-lasting consequences the coronavirus pandemic can have on the world Editor’s Note: Thousands of Indians are stranded in foreign lands across the world, some by choice, others due to geopolitical, financial and academic constraints. In this multi-part series, Firstpost takes a look at …

A narrowing window: The Hindu Editorial on extension of India coronavirus lockdown
4 years, 8 months ago

A narrowing window: The Hindu Editorial on extension of India coronavirus lockdown

The Hindu  

It appeared inevitable, and the Centre has accepted the view of several States to extend the national lockdown for the novel coronavirus until May 3. While announcing the extension, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke of incentivising areas that avert a spike in cases — over 10,000 nationally — through rigorous enforcement of the restrictions. Although the Home Ministry’s original 21-day …

Coronavirus | Workers face heat, hunger as lockdown is extended
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus | Workers face heat, hunger as lockdown is extended

The Hindu  

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of the countrywide lockdown by another 19 days, there is only one question resonating among the 300-odd construction workers living in sheds in the shadow of under-construction luxury apartments near the Noida Expressway: why couldn’t the government arrange transport for them to return to their homes? The least they could have done …

Coronavirus lockdown | Livelihood issues ignored, says Yechury
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus lockdown | Livelihood issues ignored, says Yechury

The Hindu  

Extending lockdown without concrete measures to tackle the spread of COVID-19 and without addressing the grave issues of livelihood and hunger for another 19-days by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is meaningless, the Left parties said on Tuesday. People were waiting for much needed relief for a large number of our poor, marginalised and migrant labour,” CPI general secretary Sitaram Yechury …

Coronavirus lockdown extended till 3 May; Modi urges people to look after senior citizens, poor, asks businesses to not downsize staff
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus lockdown extended till 3 May; Modi urges people to look after senior citizens, poor, asks businesses to not downsize staff

Firstpost  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of the nationwide lockdown till 3 May in his address to the nation on the last day of the 21-day lockdown that was announced on 25 March to stem the spread of coronavirus Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of the nationwide lockdown till 3 May in his address to the nation …

Coronavirus Outbreak: Before extending lockdown, PDS universalisation, community kitchen expansion and cash grants are critical to prevent food riots
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus Outbreak: Before extending lockdown, PDS universalisation, community kitchen expansion and cash grants are critical to prevent food riots

Firstpost  

Only if the Centre steps in to universalise the public distribution system, will the time bomb of mounting hunger be truly defused. Last week, after a scuffle broke out in the food queue, three shelter homes in Delhi’s Kashmiri Gate packed like sardines with 10,000 stranded migrants, were set on fire. There are three essential components to at least prevent …

Coronavirus lockdown | Choked supply lines to be cleared
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus lockdown | Choked supply lines to be cleared

The Hindu  

Stoppered supply lines with trucks waiting on highways, the ongoing harvest season and procurement of food grains in various parts of the country are some of the issues that will inform the kind of lockdown the country will continue to have post April 14. COVID-19 | Interactive map of confirmed coronavirus cases in India Government sources said that smoothening the …

Here's how governments have agreed to help households pay bills during the coronavirus lockdown
4 years, 8 months ago

Here's how governments have agreed to help households pay bills during the coronavirus lockdown

ABC  

Some household bills and fees could be delayed or waived for people facing financial hardship during the COVID-19 crisis after state and territory leaders reached an agreement on consistent rules to protect struggling households. Key points: State and territory leaders have agreed on consistent rules for people experiencing financial hardship during the coronavirus pandemic Essential services, such as energy and …

Half a billion people could be pushed into poverty by coronavirus economic fallout, study finds
4 years, 9 months ago

Half a billion people could be pushed into poverty by coronavirus economic fallout, study finds

ABC  

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy could see as many as 580 million people — 8 per cent of the world's population — pushed into poverty, according to researchers. Key points: Researchers say even on a conservative estimate, the pandemic could drive 100 million people into extreme poverty Consecutive Australian Governments have cut the foreign aid …

India COVID-19 lockdown means no food or work for rural poor
4 years, 9 months ago

India COVID-19 lockdown means no food or work for rural poor

Al Jazeera  

Millions in underdeveloped regions face penury and deprivation as economic activity grinds to a halt due to lockdown. Mumbai, India – For farm worker Manisha Uke, being able to survive is contingent on two factors – one, getting a daily wage of 100 Indian rupees a day and two, receiving a widow’s monthly pension of 1,000 rupees from the government. …

Developing countries face economic collapse in COVID-19 fight: UN
4 years, 9 months ago

Developing countries face economic collapse in COVID-19 fight: UN

Al Jazeera  

$220bn in lost income; nearly half of all jobs in Africa wiped out; UNDP warns of economic devastation for poor nations. So far, we have seen epidemic in countries said to have advanced health systems but even they have struggled to cope,” Mandeep Dhaliwal, Director of UNDP’s HIV, Health and Development Group, told Al Jazeera. “We must urgently focus on …

Coronavirus | Amid the exodus, a plea for food, medicine, transport
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus | Amid the exodus, a plea for food, medicine, transport

The Hindu  

Feeding centres, medical care and sanitised transport services are needed to provide immediate relief to the lakhs of migrant workers stranded on roads, said an appeal to the Central government signed by 200 academics, economists, social activists, lawyers, retired bureaucrats and concerned citizens. Others, in desperation, are packing themselves in lorries, at the risk of contracting or spreading the virus.” …

How can India contain the economic impact of COVID-19?
4 years, 9 months ago

How can India contain the economic impact of COVID-19?

The Hindu  

The COVID-19 pandemic has effectively brought normal life to a halt in India. We have a few additional factors in India: an economy which relies very heavily on informal employment, so our reliance for people’s well-being on the broader economy performing and the markets performing is high, whatever role the state may try to play. The way to achieve ‘social …

Countries which have implemented Coronavirus lockdown
4 years, 9 months ago

Countries which have implemented Coronavirus lockdown

Op India  

According to the global index data at the time of writing this report, the total Coronavirus cases worldwide has surged to 491,120 with 22,165 people succumbing to the infection. India: In a live video address on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced India would become the latest impose a three-week “complete lockdown,” to tackle the scourge of the epidemic. Credits: …

Coronavirus Pandemic Has a Lesson for All as it Exposes the Ills of Individualistic, Profit-centred Mindset
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus Pandemic Has a Lesson for All as it Exposes the Ills of Individualistic, Profit-centred Mindset

News 18  

It’s not often that we come together as a community and look after each other for a common good. It’s making us realise the truth in the old cliché- humans are made of stardust - we were always bound together. Never had I imagined I would need a nationwide lockdown to hear the birds chirping in my balcony or to …

Raghuram Rajan says lockdown may not be enough to contain COVID-19 spread
4 years, 9 months ago

Raghuram Rajan says lockdown may not be enough to contain COVID-19 spread

India TV News  

Former Reserve Bank of India governor Raghuram Rajan has taken India's 21-day-lockdown to combat the spread of coronavirus with a pinch of salt, telling Bloomberg in an interview that the nationwide curfew might not necessarily check the spread of the epidemic. Expressing concern that the lockdown will not only keep people from going to work, but it would also keep …

Care in times of Covid-19: Self-driven crusaders extend a helping hand during lockdown
4 years, 9 months ago

Care in times of Covid-19: Self-driven crusaders extend a helping hand during lockdown

Hindustan Times  

It is early morning and Harpreet Singh is busy preparing a list of people and places he and his community of volunteers called ‘Brothers For all’ have to visit during the day to deliver food kits containing flour, rice, pulses oil, salt, etc. Volunteers of Delhi Youth Welfare Association, a community organisation handing over cash -- Rs 3000-- to a …

Coronavirus | Centre rolls out ₹1.7-lakh-crore lockdown package
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus | Centre rolls out ₹1.7-lakh-crore lockdown package

The Hindu  

The Union government on Thursday announced a ₹1.7 lakh crore package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and countrywide lockdown, providing free food and cash transfers to support the poorest citizens who are most vulnerable during the crisis. The food grain ration for 80 crore poor people would be doubled for the next three months, supplemented by a kg of …

India’s looming battle to save its workers from the coronavirus
4 years, 9 months ago

India’s looming battle to save its workers from the coronavirus

Al Jazeera  

More than 80 percent of India’s workers do not have paid sick leave, leaving their livelihoods vulnerable to the virus. The next day, on March 20, Maharashtra state authorities ordered all “non-essential” shops” in Mumbai – India’s financial hub – to close until the end of March. “There’s not just an economic imperative but a moral imperative to keep these …

India declares 21-day ‘total lockdown’ as coronavirus cases rise
4 years, 9 months ago

India declares 21-day ‘total lockdown’ as coronavirus cases rise

Al Jazeera  

India’s 1.3 billion people will go under “total lockdown” for 21 days to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, warning that anyone going outside risked inviting the virus inside their homes, and pledging $2bn to bolster the country’s beleaguered healthcare system. “To save India, to save its every citizen, you, your family… every street, …

Coronavirus | Chidambaram asks CMs to explain lockdown on TV
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus | Chidambaram asks CMs to explain lockdown on TV

The Hindu  

Former Union Finance Minister P. Chidamabaram on Monday thanked the Chief Ministers of the States that had announced a lockdown and asked them to go on TV explaining why it is necessary to take such a step. In a series of tweets, Mr. Chidambaram admitted that there would be “massive economic pain” but it could be handled than “numerous deaths” …

The perils of an all-out lockdown
4 years, 9 months ago

The perils of an all-out lockdown

The Hindu  

As the novel coronavirus spreads, a double crisis looms over India: a health crisis and an economic crisis. Tap social schemes Since time is of the essence, the first step is to make good use of existing social-security schemes to support poor people — pensions, the Public Distribution System, midday meals, and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, …

COVID-19: Congress seeks cash transfers
4 years, 9 months ago

COVID-19: Congress seeks cash transfers

The Hindu  

The government needs to outline measures to help people whose livelihoods have been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, the Opposition parties said on Saturday. COVID-19 | Interactive map of confirmed coronavirus cases in India “The government has to put in place broad-based social protection measures, including direct cash financial help to these sections,” she said. Calling for a comprehensive sector-wise …

Coronavirus | Congress seeks cash transfers
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus | Congress seeks cash transfers

The Hindu  

The government needs to outline measures to help people whose livelihoods have been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, the Opposition parties said on Saturday. Congress president Sonia Gandhi, in a statement, said COVID-19, which followed demonetisation and the slowing down of the economy, had been a huge setback to millions of daily wage earners, MGNREGA workers, ad hoc and temporary …

Indian state promises compensation to workers hit by coronavirus
4 years, 9 months ago

Indian state promises compensation to workers hit by coronavirus

Al Jazeera  

The 200-million-strong UP state to make payment to poor and daily wage workers for income lost due to the pandemic. Millions of poor Indians may receive cash compensation for income lost due to coronavirus, as officials in northern Uttar Pradesh state start counting the number of qualifying citizens on Wednesday. UP – the most populous state with a population of …

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