LOCKDOWN, LOSS OF LIVELIHOOD IN RURAL & URBAN PEOPLES

The loss of livelihood and the lack of food, shelter, health, and other basic needs have led to an immense loss to marginalized communities. The government is responsible for the health security of the people. Thousands of migrant workers/labour are moves on the roads everywhere due to the shut-down of rail and bus services. The completely close the state borders for not moves from one place to another place. This one created a disruption in the supply of essential commodities, leading to increased inflation and a shortage of goods. Thousands of homeless people need protection. In this situation, the government of India faces the challenges of migration of Rural and Urban Population.

Unlock – 1.0, June 1st, 2020

The largest COVID-19 national lockdown in the world has been extended to May 31, 2020. After the lockdown 4 Indian government has taken the decision of UNLOCK – 1.  As of June 1, 2020, India has reported 190535 confirmed cases and 5394 deaths from COVID-19 include all states and union territories since its first case on Jan 30^th, 2020. India was quick to close its international borders and enforce an immediate lockdown, which WHO praised as “tough and timely”. The lockdown has also given the government time to prepare for a possible surge in cases when the pandemic is forecasted to peak in the coming weeks. Still, India’s population of 1·3 billion across diverse states, health inequalities, widening economic and social disparities, and distinct cultural values present unique challenges. This one is the most affected COVID – 19 Lockdown in Rural & Urban Peoples in India

Impact of COVID – 19 Lockdown on Migrant Laborers

The government’s decision to lockdown due to the coronavirus has affected the migrant laborers who earn and eat the most. The exodus from the metros continues since the early days of lockdown. Today it is definitely forcing us to think that a city where the workers built the city with their sweat and today that city is unable to sustain for a month or two. Meanwhile, due to such a large number of human migrations, there is a danger of spreading corona infection in the villages. You all must have felt that the people of the village have handled this danger with their understanding so far.

1. Unemployment

The village is still important to solving the problem of unemployment. In ancient times, villages were self-supporting. Every village had an opportunity to do enough work. Like in a field, some in making earthen pots, some in growing vegetables, some in cutting hair, etc. In today’s modern era people do not like to work without money. So every tradition came to an end and people started migrating to cities. In the last three months, the unemployment rate has tripled and about 12 to 13 crore people have lost their jobs. In such a situation, India also has the problem of sustaining so many people.

2. Economy

The second major concern after health in the Corona transition is the economy. There is a lot of brainstorming on how to restart the economy amid lockdowns. Raghuram Rajan said that it is easiest to increase the lockdown, but doing so will now be destructive to the economy. Businesses will have to start now with wisdom. He said that India faces the challenges of poverty in lockdown. He gave another specific suggestion, which is being discussed a lot. This economy will impact on COVID – 19 Lockdown in Rural & Urban Peoples in India

Rural and Urban Peoples Are Affected In Lockdown

The International Labor Organization; has said that due to Corona, 400 million people in the inferior sector in India will reach below the poverty line. Informal sector means small jobs or works without any registration like – paan wala, Taylor, with such small business. 40 crore such people will become poor and they become more affected in COVID – 19 Lockdown in Rural & Urban Peoples in India.

1. NSSO Data in 2011 – 12

NSSO gave a figure in 2011-12, based on this the Planning Commission had extracted income figures and set the poverty line. The figures were such that if a man earns more than 25 rupees daily in the village of UP, then he is not poor. This definition can be debated, but the UPA government at that time calculated the poor on this basis for faces the lockdown. At this time, 27 crore poor people were in the country, 21.9 percent of the total population.

2. Enforcement of the Lockdown

The Central government sudden enforcement of the lockdown, in this situation the labour and workers are not prepared for long time lockdown. In this regarding disadvantaged already vulnerable populations. There has been a mass exodus of migrant workers and concerns are rising about starvation among people who work in the informal economy. The major issue is that checking all public health measures is so difficult in a crowded place and maintain hygiene and sanitation facilities. Non-COVID-19 health services have been disrupted. Reports define that the government tries to give financial support and provide food security in this insufficient demand. But better planning and communication could have helped avert this crisis.

3. Financial Assistance Will Be Given To Farmers

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also announced for farmers in this package. He said that Annadata tries hard throughout the year to feed the 130 crore people of the country.

He said, “An installment of Rs. 2000 will be deposited in the farmers’ accounts every month. This installment will be transferred to the account of 8.70 lakh farmers in the first week of April.” This installment is being given under the Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. Till now farmers are given 6 thousand rupees annually.

In MNREGA support their families in rural areas, their wages have been increased from Rs 182 to Rs 202. This will increase their income by about Rs 2000. Apart from this, 500-500 rupees will be added to 20 crore women Jan Dhan accounts for the next three months.

In the MNREGA an additional 1000 rupees will be given as pension for the elderly, widows, and the disabled. This money will be given in two separate instalments. This money will go directly to their bank accounts so that no one is entitled to them in any way. This becomes helpful for COVID – 19 Lockdown in Rural & Urban Peoples in India Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a package for the unorganized and organized sector for faces the challenges in lockdown.

Announcements in Lockdown Time for Poor Peoples

1. Under the Ujjwala scheme, 8 million women were provided LPG cylinders by women of poor families. LPG cylinders are not a problem, so more than 8 crore such women will be given LPG cylinders for free for the next three months.
2. Provision has been made to give 20 lakh rupees instead of 10 lakh to 63 million self-help groups to which seven crore families are connected. This loan will be available without any guarantee.
3. For organized sector labourers who are employed or are about to be given jobs, those institutions where there are less than 100 employees and for those employees whose income is less than Rs 15,000, the total amount of government PF i.e. about 24% of the money for three months bear by government.
4. By changing the PF Scheme Regulations, the facility will be given to withdraw non-refundable advance ie 75% deposit amount or salary of three months.
5. The government is releasing separate funds for the laborers working in the construction sector. 31 thousand crore fund is available under the Building and Construction Workers Welfare Fund provide COVID – 19 Lockdown in Rural & Urban Peoples in India. State governments have been instructed to use this fund for the welfare of those poor peoples in lockdown. This will benefit from 3.5 crore laborers/workers and farmers.

SAVING VILLAGES IS MOST IMPORTANT

1. Cities may affect but farmer’s fields should be protected. If our agriculture lands are saved, then like some magic, we will make your city buzz. But if lands destroy then the grass will grow on the streets of your cities. If no one believes, civilization will end.
2. Towns are closed in lockdown and Businesses are become closed. But no one remains hungry, the farmers have arranged this. This time has produced more grains than every year. The government can give one year of food grains to the whole country for their livelihood. But you will be saved from starvation only when the government delivers ration to the needy in the go-downs.
3. The government can do a lot to do it. But our part has to be hopeful. We expect the government to pay attention to the views of experts. Make sure that the fifth largest economy in the world, which we want to make a $ 5 trillion economy, does not get any poverty or hunger.
4. In India’s favour are its young population (65% aged <35 years) and, to date, a less severe pandemic than was feared. The lockdown is already having the desired effect of flattening the epidemic curve. From April 20, all states began easing restrictions on the basis of district profiling of infection hotspots (a form of cluster containment).
5. The immediate challenge is to keep infections at manageable levels and ensure the ability to test, trace contacts, isolate patients, implement COVID care plans, and disseminate timely information. The central government should loosen its control and give states more autonomy over its funding and decision making.
6. India must also pay much greater attention to the health sector and recognize the importance of having strong public sector capacity, especially in primary care and at the district level, this one help COVID – 19 Lockdown in Rural & Urban Peoples in India India’s public health care system is chronically underfunded leaving primary care weak. This pandemic could be the much-needed wake-up call to the necessity of long-term changes to India’s health system.

Immediate Health Measures For Migrate Peoples

1. Education, not surveillance: Community members should be prevented from monitoring among themselves. Instead, educate people about the importance of self-isolation.
2. More public education: Start spreading very wide messages about washing hands, justifying social/physical distance, not touching the mouth, eyes, and nose without washing hands.
3. Increase in tests: Tell people which symptoms are taken care of and in which circumstances they should contact doctors. They should not be prevented from contacting doctors for fear of increasing the number.
4. Free investigation: The number of checks should be increased immediately. The tests should be made free, whether they are run by private laboratories or by the government.
5. Mobilize Frontline Activists for Education: To mobilize ASHA employees, Anganwadi workers and assistants, ANMs to create widespread awareness about symptoms, prevalence, and precautions. Increase their salary/honorarium and provide protective equipment for them.
6. Nationalize or regulate private health services: Wherever necessary (for example, in the case of protective equipment), the government may consider temporary nationalization. For example, the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) has taken control of private hospitals.

At a minimum, the government should take exemplary and swift action against the dishonest behaviour of these areas (for example, fake trials, black marketing of masks, soaps, sanitizers, etc.) and take steps to ensure their price regulation.

The lockdown imposed due to coronavirus may prove to be catastrophic for India’s poor, especially laborers. According to NGO Jan Saahas, “90% laborers (approx) have already lost their source of income in the last three weeks”. What’s worse is that despite the government of India announced compensation for construction workers whose livelihood has suffered due to the lockdown.  This may not be easy for the vast majority of workers to avail of the compensation in COVID – 19 Lockdown in Rural & Urban Peoples in India.