FM says three meals a day being provided to urban homeless people, but plight of migrant workers under lockdown shows food security is a far cry

Several recent reports have shown that with work drying up, inadequate food has been a major concern for most of the urban poor. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, listing out welfare measures taken till now to tide over the COVID-19 crisis, said on Thursday that three meals per day are being provided to urban homeless people at the Centre’s cost. The Centre has announced that “hygienically prepared three meals a day have been provided for the residents of Shelters for Urban Homeless during the lockdown with effect from 28 March.” Nevertheless, several recent reports have shown that with work drying up in mega cities, inadequate food has been a major concern for most of the urban poor, which majorly comprises of migrant labourers. Follow LIVE updates on coronavirus outbreaks here Indeed, many people on Twitter also questioned why a large number of the urban poor are fleeing big cities, and there are reports of people fighting over food packets, if they are being provided three meals a day. While these announcements made by Sitharaman are welcome interventions, going by the present situation, it appears that ensuring food security for all urban homeless people is a far cry.