Gradual resumption of economic activity only way forward

How to solve livelihood issues of those affected by lockdown?

Advertisement

Labour-intensive industry needs push

The Chandigarh Administration’s decision to allow opening of markets in various areas was seen coming. However, markets are likely to wobble for the time being. Areas such as construction where use of labour is prolific should be given abundant push to ensure their livelihood. Businessman and middle class should be given relaxations in payment of electricity bills and taxes. The government should exempt all commercial and residential establishments from property tax for this fiscal. After all, it is the question of “to be or not to be”.

Sikander Singh, Chandigarh

Focus now on economic revival

The government has put all its efforts on saving lives and let the economy slow down. This has resulted in the loss of jobs. India without doubt today is in recession and uncertainty. The danger is we may head towards stagflation. Cash transfers to workers and provision for rations to the vulnerable sections of society are short-term measures. We need a minimum growth rate of 12 per cent. This seems difficult to achieve unless a dynamic strategy for resumption of economic activity is formulated.

Rajiv Boolchand Jain, Zirakpur

Allow dhobis, cobblers to work

The most affected people are street dhobis, cobblers, golgappa sellers, tikki wallas, employees, who work in shops and restaurants, daily wagers and maids, who have been rendered jobless. These categories must be allowed to work with time limits by following social distancing norms and wearing masks.

RK Kapoor, Chandigarh

Good to see relief for daily-wage earners

Allowing work in industrial units and ongoing construction sites other than a few hot spots in the city will indeed give a boost to the sagging morale of idling skilled and non-skilled labourers. The Administration must allow private cabs and auto-rickshaws to ply. Neighbourhood dhobis and mochis (cobblers) be given a go ahead to resume their services. It will spur economic activity and bring relief to customers.

SC Luthra, Chandigarh

Each one should help one

Thank God, finally curfew has been lifted bringing the much-needed relief to labourers, workers and others. The UT Administration must ensure that all arrangements made for such people are beneficial for them. As responsible citizens, we all must come forward to help the needy. Pay in time or even pay in advance to your maids, gardeners and watchmen. A little kind gesture like recharging their mobile numbers with your own money can be a good help. Help them in buying books for their children. So, each one should help one. Together we will surely come out of this depressing situation.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Chandigarh

Relaxation versus relief

The UT Administration has given some relaxations for the convenience of public, which does not warrant us against getting infected. Still it seems to denote “The rider is responsible for his own luggage”. Most workers belong to other states. If allowed, they would leave for their native places. Business establishments too are in a quandary about the revival of their industry. The current scenario has affected both the job seekers and the job providers. Still one has to wait and watch for some more time hopefully for the return of normalcy.

Surinder Paul Wadhwa, Mohali

Policy boost on spending needed

When a rupee is spent to buy a service or goods, it opens floodgates of livelihood for many down the line. The curfew and lockdown halted the rupee-in-motion. Best is to give a policy boost to encourage spending. Return of pre-corona era in totality will take time. Till then, the provision of necessary PPEs and physical distancing must be ensured by employers for basic safety of daily wagers.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

Public role holds solution

Lockdown is just a precautionary measure to discipline citizens so as not to fall prey to deadly disease. If public betrays, no statutory imposition can do good. Livelihood has its paramount importance. Ultimately, public behaviour holds the solution. Behaving responsibly, people can earn while taking all precautions. Only public role holds the solution.

MPS Chadha, Mohali

Govt must help worst sufferers

Urban informal sector workers largely comprising male migrants are the most vulnerable and the most difficult to reach through social security programmes. Help farmers, organised sector workers, MNREGA women with Jan Dhan accounts, widows and pensioners. The government must provide food, shelter and job security. Labourers should be given wages during the crisis. As farmers are facing losses the government should step up crop procurement to maintain their income.

Vijay Malia, Chandigarh

Aid for those who opted for security

The worst affected during the lockdown are labourers, particularly migrants. They were caught unawares when the lockdown was announced. The government should pay Rs 3,000 per month to those, who have enrolled for social security. The workforce in general has shrunk frighteningly. Can the government initiate specific measures such as providing large-scale unemployment allowance for sustaining labourers through the crisis until they are gainfully employed again?

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

Frame policy for work and food

It is true that poor man survives on hope. It is our moral duty to help needy persons in difficult times. The Administration should frame policy to provide food and work to them. It should compel employers to pay their salary without deduction during the lockdown/curfew.

Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali

Not even 10% engaged in routine work

All government offices, banks, petrol pumps and shops are open (although with limited staff). Despite all this it seems that life come to a halt. Nothing really seems to be open. All educational institutions, private offices, airways, railways, roadways, hotels, restaurants, factories, industries, IT companies, malls, cinema houses, various other activities and job related services are still closed. How could anybody expect to spur economic activity bringing relief to labourers, workers and others when not even 10% of people are engaged in their routine work?

Gurpreet S Malhotra, Chandigarh

Make workers comfortable

Now, after easing norms the Administration is facing a big challenge. Migrants are restless and vying to go back to their villages. They should be made to stay by providing advance if not wages. Their families should be provided essentials by owners of establishments where they work. In turn, the Administration should provide funds to owners to sustain losses faced by them.

Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Chandigarh

Allow inter-state movement

To spur economic activities and provide employment for the laid off labourers, the government has given relaxation in the tricity. Industrial and commercial activities have been allowed with riders. However, there still remains restriction on the inter-state movement, which hampers the supply of raw material and components for running industrial units. The authorities must allow inter-state/district or inter-zone movement of materials with strict adherence to dos & don’ts. This would enable industrial unit to run effectively, besides providing employment opportunities to labourers and other tradesmen.

SS Arora, Mohali

Resident associations should help needy

The problems of economically weaker section have aggravated due to the pandemic. Besides food, they need financial security. Lifting the curfew has brought little relief for them. The residents’ welfare association of each sector should identify the needy and collect donations for them. If each house of the locality contributes some amount, it can be a big step towards ameliorating sufferings of the worst-affected community.

Archana Sharma, Chandigarh

Follow norms, get relaxations

The government will give more relaxations in working hours if people maintain social distance, wear masks and sanitize hands regularly. In this pandemic, the most hit is middle class dependent on small salaries, which barely helps meet expenses.

Charu Malhotra, Mohali

Cash relief can help people, firms

Provide temporary cash relief to the people and firms that are most affected, until the emergency abates. Give wages and subsidies to people and firms to help curb the contagion. Expand and extend transfers both in cash and kind especially for vulnerable groups. China is accelerating payments of unemployment insurance benefits and expanding social safety nets. Korea is increasing job seeker’s allowances and expanding it for low-income households. Provide tax relief to people and businesses, which can’t afford to pay.

Jassica Goyal, Chandigarh

Citizens’ lives first priority

This is fact that several workers lost their livelihood owing to the imposition of lockdown in the city. Now, the UT Administration has given relaxation in the curfew. There has been surge in the Covid positive cases in the City Beautiful. The first priority is lives of citizens. Economic activities revival comes next. If people lose their lives due to easing of restrictions there seems no logic in doing so. Labourers, workers and others would only benefit if they survive.

Capt Jagdish Verma (retd), Chandigarh

Easing norms not a good idea

The Administration’s idea of easing so many lockdown norms is not a good idea as coronavirus positive cases are already surging in the city. The government should ease norms in a phased manner to ensure ‘Jaan bhi, jahaan bhi’. Gradual relaxations should be given only to residents of non-containment sectors. The authorities should start with the odd-even system and open industries with less workforce. As the number of Covid cases reduces, industries should be allowed to use more workforce.

Saikrit Gulati, Chandigarh

As earning was less so were expenses

No person died due to lack of food and shelter in the tricity during the lockdown. The government is providing food and cash allowances to distressed. As earning was less so was the expenditure. Labourers usually go for crop harvesting. Deportation of migrated labourers will open opportunities for local unemployed persons. No need to create panic. People should open for diversification.

Dr Shailja Beniwal, Chandigarh

QUESTION

With the number of Covid cases rising in the city and the UT Administration failing to stem the spread of the virus, what more measures should citizens take to safeguard themselves?

Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to openhouse@tribunemail.com