Give away Samajwadi relief packets to poor in whatever name you wish: Akhilesh to UP govt

SP president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday urged the Uttar Pradesh government to give away packets of groceries and other essentials to the poor hit by 21-day nationwide lockdown on lines of the "Samajwadi relief package" distribution by his government to the people in drought-hit Bundelkhand region.

The former chief minister said the Adityanath government should distribute the "Samajwadi relief packets" by giving them whatever names they wish.

"In our government, Samajwadi relief packets were distributed in Bundelkhand region. The government should direct district magistrates to distribute them on war footing to hungry and thirsty people suffering due to the lockdown. The rules for the same were framed in his regime," said Yadav.

Recalling that his government had got distributed drought relief packets named'Samajwadi relief package' to 2.3 lakh families in Bundelkhand, the Samajwadi Party chief said the government is free to change the name of these packets as per their wish.

The Samajwadi relief packages comprised 10 kg flour, 5 kg rice, 5 kg pulse, 25 kg potatoes, 5 litre mustard oil, 1 kg desi ghee and 1 kg milk powder.

Stating that the government should not waste time in holding "review meetings", Yadav said, "Crores of poor, labourers are on roads without food and water without any means of security from pandemic. Arrangements should be made for their housing, food and tests for corona infection."
"At the same time, rain-baseras (night shelters) should be set up for those wandering on the roads for their food, water and medicines, while maintaining a safe distance."