Provide sufficient help to less privileged before restrictions are relaxed ; urges Rahul Kalate

Amid the spike in Covid19 cases, the state government of Maharashtra announced several guidelines imposing restrictions on several activities. But, these restrictions are becoming a major hurdle for daily wage workers, who are without work and eventually left with minimal basic necessities. 

Rahul Kalate, Shivsena corporator from Wakad has written a letter to the Commissioner, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, Rajesh Patil urging him to act upon providing relief to the beneficiaries before the lockdown is lifted. 

In the latest revised orders which were issued by the chief minister and deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, relief to labourers was announced which is a welcoming move. But, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation announced its guidelines without considering the hardships these labourers would face. Bharatiya Janata Party rules in the PCMC, which has announced relief without taking any into consideration the number of beneficiaries and also the time in which this would be released, but the civic body has failed in doing so. But, even after nine days of announcing this, none of leaders have come to any conclusion.

Autorickshaw drivers (badge holders), authorised vendors, registered house maids, charmakar, nabhik, school van operators, gym trainers and others are the beneficiaries who would receive Rs 3000 as compensation. But even after announcing that the funds have not been released yet. Also, the question now arises as to how would PCMC identify who should be the real beneficiary ?

Autorickshaw drivers, school van operators should also get the help, but PCMC does not have any official data. Also apart from this, there are official and unofficial 42 slum areas where most of them live. But even knowing after this, there has been no step in ensuring that help reaches these people. 

“Slum areas have been identified and PCMC is well aware of the number of people. There are many people who live in these slums doing work such as plumbing, electricians, painters, Gondhali, Bharadi, Wajantri (band owners) and many folk artists, painters, sculptors, writers and poets. PCMC should identify the real beneficiaries and ensure that each of them receives help. I feel each house should get Rs 5000 as compensation. It is high time that the civic body provides relief before the lockdown is lifted so that prompt help provides them relief,” added Kalate.