India – Millions Facing Starvation

Padmini Arhant

The nation holding enormous grains and harvest crops in the national warehouse and godowns more than enough to feed the overwhelming famished population denying the vast majority food and nourishment is dereliction of duty by the central authority in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi having extended lock down to curb corona virus is followed by India’s huge population to a great extent notwithstanding the short notice from the central authority leaving the floating migrant workers stranded without food and shelter yet expecting them to obey the government’s order.

The government on its part missing in action in releasing the tax revenue viz. GST going back to three years or more owed to the States nationwide in addition to the National Disaster Fund and Emergency Relief Fund as well as many other financial means depriving the citizens and health care workers of necessary economic and health provisions is intriguing in the so-called democracy.

What could be holding the government in New Delhi under Prime Minister Narendra Modi from addressing the ghastly hunger situation amongst the daily wage earners and informal sector workers observing lock down in the absence of any income and economic aid?

The lack of food and proper arrangements for these citizens expected to combat the deadly virus is a dilemma with hunger defeating the pandemic effect is inevitable.

The survival of the fittest is the test and population left to starve amid coping worst health disaster is hardly a choice for these weak and vulnerable citizens in every respect.

The Indian states viz. Tamil Nadu and others drastically affected in the pandemic pleading Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s action to expedite financial resources from the Central authority to the individual states in the Union desperately required to save lives and mitigate economic plight is barely noticed by the leadership least concerned about the deteriorating environment.

This is not the time for partisanship and calculating political gains when people are suffering in silence and many hurdled in their confined spaces without meals and unable to afford basic essentials for existence. The large swath of population dependent on daily wage and those counting the days as their savings are depleted with Central authority’s procrastination on food supply, economic assistance and delivery of crucial medical equipment as well as protective inventory desperately required across the spectrum all the way to the bottom exacerbating the misery for millions in the country.

New Delhi Central government distribution of food and economic aid to the population and the States requesting access to the national funds and remittances due to them is the clarion call nationwide. The States exercising autonomy in protecting their citizens health through direct order for medical supplies intercepted by the Central government with no further information on delivery and consignment details is irresponsible slighting the severity of health and economic crises.

The Central government cognizance of the burgeoning issues confronting the nation implementing immediate measures to alleviate starvation, income loss and urgent medical items dispensation to deal with the pandemic is the hour of the need. 

Besides, the Central authority extending full cooperation to all citizens and States barring political preference and prejudice is imperative in the battle against the unprecedented health and economic catastrophe. The citizens cry for help could no longer be ignored in the do or die reality reminding the government in the Central authority to lead and guide the States and the apparatus with prompt response and efficient management of the fragile environment. 

Furthermore, New Delhi government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi public disclosure on economic plan and pandemic containment procedures post lock down is necessary to prepare the citizens for personal health safety and financial security. The government muted disposition in this context creating public anxiety and frustration is legitimate and deserves focus. 

The governments are elected to power to serve the citizens and nationals leaving none behind utilizing taxpayers funds effectively in dealing with ordinary and extraordinary times exemplifying determination and will to face as well as overcome any calamity such as the current pandemic and economic decline.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

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