New Delhi: To fight for Covid- 19 in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the commander and the people are “foot soldiers”, Former Union Finance Minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram on Wednesday. He is describing the unprecedented nationwide lockdown as a “watershed moment” in the battle against Covid- 19, which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He suggested a 10-point response plan to help people deal with the lockdown. He called for transferring money in the bank accounts of the poor and the marginalized and a three-month cut in taxes on all essential goods and services from April 1. He also said that we should put behind us the debates that took place before March 24 and look upon the nationwide lockdown as the beginning of a new battle. He also said that “We owe a duty to extend our total support to the prime minister and the central and state governments”.

Mr. Chidambaram called for doubling the payout to farmers under the PM-KISAN scheme to Rs 12,000 and including tenant farmers under it as well. He also suggested transferring Rs 3,000 into bank accounts of registered workers under the rural employment programme MGNREGA. The former Finance Minister demanded transfer of Rs 6,000 into their Jan Dhan accounts, besides offering 10 kg of rice or wheat absolutely free, as a one-time measure in the next 21 days to every ration card holder, the poor who are living in the urban areas.

The former union minister called for asking all registered employers to maintain current levels of employment and wages. He also called for opening a register in every ward or block and invite persons who have not received payment under any of the categories. After minimal verification, open a bank account in each name (if there is not already one), seed it with Aadhar and transfer Rs 3,000 into each bank account, he said.