Bhubaneswar: At a time when Covid-induced restrictions have resulted in cessation of livelihood sources, a city-based trade union leader and rights activist moved the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking a direction to the Centre to provide Rs 7,000 per month to the non-income tax payer families up to 6 months.
The petitioner also urged the commission to direct the Union government to provide free ration of 10 kg per head per month up to 6 months to the needy families without any ration card.
The activist cited a report of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) that recently highlighted about 10 crore working class people losing their jobs and livelihoods in India due to Covid-19 pandemic.
He said that lockdowns and shutdowns imposed by state and Union governments since March 2020 has pushed many into abject poverty.
“A study report by Ajim Premji University has revealed that around 23 crore people in India have become unemployed and jobless during the pandemic,” claimed the activist.
PNN