The State Congress has demanded that the Centre provide monthly financial assistance to poor people suffering from the ongoing lockdown.

“We demand Union Government to deposit Rs 7,500 in accounts of poor people at least for a period of six months to help them during the lockdown,” said PCC president Niranjan Patnaik during the party’s ‘Speak up India’ campaign here on Thursday.

Launching a scathing attack on both BJD and BJP, Patnaik said both the political parties have betrayed people of Odisha, for which they went through tough situations arising out of corona.

“After being inspired by election speeches of BJP and BJD leaders,some might have cast their votes for them to power. In the course of time, it was found that common people have been betrayed,” Patnaik said.

He alleged that the Governments at the Centre and in the State have been formed only for their publicity instead of addressing the genuine issues of the people.

“They are the Governments of publicity, commitments and betrayal. The people of Odisha as well as the country have been betrayed by both BJPand BJD, for which we all are suffering from the man-made disease,”Patnaik said.

He said, “PM Narendra Modi had promised to win the Covid battle in 21days while referring to the Mahabharata war that had concluded in 18days. However, the infections continue to spread across the countrydespite lockdowns.”

Patnaik also demanded that the State Government ensure safe return ofmigrant labourers. He too demanded financial aid for farmers, who haveborne huge losses due to lockdown restrictions.