Cornering the government, Chidambaram alleged that the people are disappointed on both sides, stating that not just symbolism, ideas and measures are equally important.
Veteran Congress leader and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Friday targetted the Prime Minister over the economic situation in the country, adding in a jibe regarding Modi's recent appeal to the citizens to light candles and diyas on Sunday.
"Dear PM Narendra Modi, we will listen to you and light diyas on April 5. But, in return, please listen to us and to the wise counsel of epidemiologists and economists," Chidambaram posted from his official Twitter handle.
The former Finance Minister also pointed out that he, as an Indian, had expected that the Prime Minister would announce a financial assistance plan (FAP) II to help the poor deal with the financial hardships arising out of the nationwide lockdown. He also alleged Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the central government of ignoring the poor, "every working man and woman, from business person to daily wage earner".
"What we expected from you today was FAP II, a generous livelihood support package for the poor, including for those categories of poor who were totally ignored by Nirmala Sitharaman (Finance Minister) on March 25," he wrote on Twitter, adding, "Every working man and woman, from business person to daily wage earner, also expected you to announce steps to arrest the economic slide and re-start the engines of economic growth."
Cornering the government, he alleged that the people are disappointed on both sides, stating that not just symbolism, ideas and measures are equally important.
"The people are disappointed on both counts. Symbolism is important, but serious thought to ideas and measures is equally important," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed the nation through a video message, in which he appealed to the citizens of India to come together to defeat the threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, that is spreading like wildfire across the nation.
In a unique proposition, the Prime Minister asked every citizen to switch off all lights at their residences on April 5 at 9 PM for nine minutes and instead light a candle, a 'Diya', or their mobile's flashlights to mark India's fight against coronavirus. The purpose of this exercise, Modi said, is to bolster confidence in the heart of the citizens with a realisation of the fact that no one is alone in this crisis, they are in this with 130-crore other Indians who are collectively battling this crisis.
"Today when crores of people are inside their homes, some of us might wonder how we will fight this battle against COVID-19 all alone. Such questions might come up in your mind. But please remember, none of us are alone. The strength of 130 crore Indians is with each one of us," said Prime Minister Modi.
In light of the heightened concern on the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in India, the country has been placed under complete lockdown for 21 days from March 24. Authorities have asked citizens to maintain strict social distancing to cut the spread of the virus outbreak.
As of 02:17 PM on Friday, more than 2,000 people across India have been reported to have contracted the COVID-19 disease. The virus has affected more than 10 lakh people worldwide. The global death toll has crossed 50,000, according to the COVID-19 statistics center at the John Hopkins University.
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 "Former Finance Minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram")
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