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All across the world, political leaders are holding daily Coronavirus briefings, addressing the people and the press, answering questions and updating on how their respective countries are battling coronavirus. Since the pandemic is evolving so fast, decisions are being made on a daily basis. It’s also of prime importance for a country that is currently on one of its longest lockdowns to keep hearing from the governing figure and be in the know of what steps are being taken to alleviate the situation.
On April 03, Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was addressing the nation after having addressed the people last on March 24 announced that on Sunday, April 05, 9 pm, everyone in India will be engaging in a token demonstration against the COVID-19 pandemic. The PM said, “Therefore, us 130 crore Indians should at 9 p.m. on April 5 switch off all lights and stand at the door or balcony light up a candle, diya, torch or mobile flashlight for nine minutes. If you switch off all lights at that time, and light these objects, the experience of light and going towards it will be concentrated.” “However, ensure that you maintain social distancing while lighting up lamps”, he added.
Talking about the worst-affected section of the country, the underprivileged, he said, “We have to take our poor brethren towards the light and certainty. To defeat this darkness, we have to shine the light in every direction.
It is to be noted that the country has a lot more on its plate and a lot of times, lighting a candle is not the only way to lead a people towards light. Instead, we put down a list of issues that the PM should have discussed in his speech. These are also questions that we, as citizens of a democratic country, should be asking our leader.
I. Shortage of PPE gear for frontline workers, Ventilators, ICUs, home test-kits
There is a clear shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), i.e., specialized clothing or equipment worn by employees for protection against health and safety hazards. A day before the speech, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had asked the PM for an increased number of N-95 masks, PPE kits, C-Ply masks, RNA extraction kits and ventilators in order to meet to the requirement. The PM should have addressed the nation about the steps being taken towards re-stocking the essentials.
II. Coronavirus Testing in The Country
For a country with a population of over 1.35 billion and a healthcare and sanitation system as uneven as India, testing and tracking each infected person is a necessity. The PM should have answered questions regarding the currently available data and its source, if there is a centralised tracking system, the accuracy of the currently available tracking systems, about the key hot-spots, and all other pieces of information required to ensure that citizens are making informed decisions.
III. How are the World Bank funds going to be utilised?
Out of the 25 countries that the World Bank has granted emergency funds to, India has received the biggest grant at $1 billion. A statement from the former said, “In India, $1 billion emergency financing will support better screening, contact tracing, and laboratory diagnostics; procure personal protective equipment; and set up new isolation wards.”
The PM should have addressed if a plan of action has already been put into place or even by when can we expect to know how the funds will be allocated and utilised.
IV. The PM-CARES fund
Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund, better known as PM-CARES is “a public charitable trust” launched on March 28 is a “dedicated national fund with the primary objective of dealing with any kind of emergency or distress situation, like the one posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to provide relief to the affected,” according to the original press statement. The Hindu has pointed out that the PM-CARES fund doesn’t seem to have any website with details of objectives, income and expenditure as yet. He could have also addressed the need behind activating this fund despite the presence of the Prime Minister National Relief Fund which has been in existence since 1948. The status of foreign donations is also unclear. What should bother the public more is that it still remains unclear if the PM-CARES fund is a government body that is liable to be audited or if it’s the PM’s personal charitable body where he presides as the trustee. Its immediate and long-term purposes also remain unclear.
V. Tracking of Patients and the Aarogya Setu App
Another important point of mention could have been the Aarogya Setu App which has been activated to track people who have recently come in contact with patients of COVID-19. The PM could have clarified who needs to download the app and how effective has it been so far. Other questions regarding privacy can also be asked.
VI. What about the daily wage workers, sex workers, trans-persons the homeless, and the unemployed?
Thousands of daily wage workers have been rendered unemployed. With small businesses not being able to sustain the crisis, many more are going to be left unemployed. The PM should have addressed how does he plan to alleviate the situation for the poor rather than lighting candles to lead the light to them. Streets in all big and small cities are lined with homeless and unemployed people. There’s also the issue of what happens to sex workers and trans-people, some of them who make a living out of seeking means from the public. The nation should have been told about the measures being taken to make sure these sections are not left out.
VII. Food and Medical supplies to migrant workers
While a lot of migrant workers who had started from bigger cities like Delhi and Mumbai on foot to return to their villages upon losing employment have been set up at temporary shelters, the PM should have addressed the nation on how do they plan to have them go back home if they are going to be sent home and how are they going to survive this.
VIII. Domestic Violence helpline
According to the National Commission of Women, there has been a spike in the number of domestic violence cases registered since the country-wide lockdown was imposed to control the spread of coronavirus. The PM should have addressed this issue, ensuring that people who are trapped with their abusive partners inside their households are being taken care of.
IX. Farmers in Distress
The Indian agriculture sector which suffered recently due to uneven monsoon is facing another hit due to disruptions caused because of the lockdown. The situation is only going to worsen as labourers have returned home. It should have been incumbent upon the PM to address the remedial measures for our farmers.
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