With migrant labourers having a harrowing time in the national Capital, in light of the nationwide lockdown imposed to contain coronavirus, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators and other political personalities have come to their rescue after getting to know about their plights on various social media platforms. The MLAs of ruling dispensation are leaving no stone unturned in addressing a range of issues posted by the residents on twitter.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday appealed party volunteers to ensure that nobody in their areas goes hungry. Kejriwal also announced free and double rations for the beneficiaries this month. With the announcement, people will be given 10 kg ration per person as against 5 kg provisioned earlier. “Along with the ration, we will also be providing ration kits which will have all the necessary items, including refined oil, chhole, chana, sugar, salt, haldi, dhania, chilli powder, soap bars along with rice and flour,” he added.
A twitter user Alligatorr Campry shared contact numbers with other details of migrant labourers who were hungry and needed immediate support. He tweeted tagging AAP MLA from Timarpur Dilip Pandey besides others… “Dear @dilipkpandey Lokesh and Sadhna need Ration Address – budhpur, kh.no.116 Alipur - Delhi-110036 Near nand lal Grocery Store,”
Replying to him, the AAP MLA Pandey said they were provided relief kit. "He was contacted. He is very generous person. When we offered him grocery, he said he had applied e-coupons and asked for give 5 kg of flour only. We gave it to him.
Similarly, after a news portal highlighted the misery of artiste-residents of Narela’s DDA flats who were struggling as they were short of ration, Pandey responded saying that the issue has been taken care of. “I had a word with area MLA, DM & ADM of District West. Yes, the food being provided there was less than what was needed. Now, instead of 1, 4 more meal centers will be serving lunch & dinner,” he tweeted.
Srishti Maheshwari, another twitter user and a resident of Adarsh Nagar tweeted “Dear Sir, "My Father, who is in LNJP Hospital, tested covid positive on 27/04/20. I have been following up for the test of other family members having symptoms but i am getting no response from Local Authorities Request you to intervene urgently,”
Not only Adarsh Nagar MLA Pawan Sharma but Pandey and other party members swung in to action and the family was helped to get tested for COVID-19. Preety Sharma Menon, national Executive member of AAP tweeted tagging Dilip Pandey “had got the father admitted and is in touch with the family.
There were many labourers who do not have tweeter accounts so many other users posted their plights by recording a video of them tagging AAP leaders. In a similar stance Vinay Patel, a twitter user tweeted tagging local MLA and other party leaders requesting them to help some of those stranded here without food. In some of recent examples, political leaders replying to users on social media shared their plights tagging local administration which has yielded much needed relief. In a similar attempt, Rashtriya Janata Dal official twitter handle tweeted “Hon'ble @ArvindKejriwal ji, kindly ensure help to stranded in lockdown, -23 labourers- 8/10 sitla kali mandir,sabzi mandi,ND-7 Fuldev Mehta-8287232991 @dilipkpandey -60 labourers in uttam nagar PintuGupta 8800711254 @AAPNareshBalyan Thanks!,”
Replying to the tweet, AAP leader and MLA Dilip Pandey said “Respected! Help reached the vegetable market where help was needed. Under Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership, we should be able to ensure help the same spirit,”
In another tweet RJD’s Tej Pratap Yadav tweeted “Respected @mlkhattar Yes @srinivasiyc Yes and @Chiranjeev_INC G 50 workers of Aurangabad, Bihar are stranded in Gra-Pokharpur, Po-Mokalwas, Tehsil-Manesar, Thana-Vilaspur, Gurugram, Haryana. Please kindly arrange their ration-water. Contact- 9891337803 @cmohry@DC_Gurugram”
Gurugram Traffic Police replying to his tweet said “Sir, food will be provided by Gurugram police and @cdgurugram at the earliest. Sir, concerned SHO has already been informed for further help.
Tejashwi Yadav in another tweet said “Honorable mr @ArvindKejriwal Yes, more than 80 Biharis H block, near Karma Poor Bhayana Market, Nala, near Milan Cinema. Please take the trouble of arranging for their stay and food. Contact- Vinay, Mithlesh, Mukesh, Awadhesh @msisodia@manojkjhadu”
Delhi BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga said while replying to his tweet “@yadavtejashwi I have directed our youth leader @abhiemanyu who is also resident of same place to arrange food. All these persons will get food before 6 in the evening,”
Following his reply, Yadav thanked him saying that your work is appreciated. “Dear legislator @rajeshgupta 5/6 laborers in Ashok Vihar JJ Colony Wazirpur E Block House No. E160 is stranded; neither they have ration nor money to help them,” he tweeted sharing their mobile number.
Delhi Government had started distributing kits of essential items since the lockdown announced and lakhs of people benefitted from much needed support.
