The CPI (Marxist) State committee has urged the government to take steps to hand over ₹ 1,500 assured to below poverty line families in cash along with rice and pulses rather than depositing the money in their accounts. CPI (M) State secretary T. Veerabhadram welcomed the government’s decision to provide essentials along with cash to eligible poor in the light of lockdown and restrictions imposed in view of coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The banks which were working with limited staff had expressed inability to handle huge turnout of customers while depositing money could invariably result in big numbers of people thronging the banks. As a result, it could cause inconvenience to people, particularly those in tribal hamlets, to access the ATMs and withdraw the cash. The government should therefore reconsider its decision and take steps to handover cash to the beneficiaries.

Source: The Hindu March 29, 2020 15:33 UTC