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| Lockdown Fear | | | The resurgence of COVID-19 and second wave spreading at a very fast face has created scare among daily rated workers and street vendors in Jammu that they may lose their livelihood again as the lockdown could return like last year.
Their fear is not misplaced as the cases are increasing at a rapid pace. Experts are predicting that the ongoing second wave is more deadly than the first wave and chances of this wave getting flattened soon don’t look so bright. A few months after the first wave of COVID-19 gripped the country last year the Central Government in June 2020 launched Prime Minister Street Vendor’s Atma Nirbhar Nidhi Scheme (PM SVANidhi). Aim of this scheme is to provide collateral free working capital loans upto Rs 10,000 to about 50 lakh street vendors across the country. The purpose of this scheme was to support the street vendors across the country to fight the pandemic. Many street vendors were benefitted in different states, even in Kashmir, but not many street vendors were benefitted in the Jammu region due to the alleged lackadaisical attitude of the people at the helm. According to the media reports not many street vendors in Jammu have been benefitted due to the scheme that was announced exclusively for them. But at present they are worried about once again facing uncertain future. If the cases keep on increasing there is a possibility about the government imposing mini lockdowns and this can lead to the economic activities coming to a halt in the areas where restrictions will be put in place. This means street vendors would be left in lurch once again. The government needs to do something for these street vendors and an emergency plan should be formulated well in advance to ensure that these vendors don’t suffer in case the life stops again. The Centre has already sanctioned enough funds for the people who survive on day to day basis but these funds have to reach the ones who deserve it. In case of crisis these street vendors will have to be taken care of. However, the Centre has been dropping enough hints about there being very bleak possibility about complete lockdown returning to the country. When lockdown-I was imposed at that point of time we were unaware about what the Coronavirus is all about. But after one year we are better equipped to fight the virus. |
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