Increase coronavirus testing, facilitate Ravi crop harvest: Cong to govt

The Congress urged the government on Tuesday to increase coronavirus testing in the country and also ensure adequate arrangement for smooth harvest and procurement of Ravi crop.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari also urged the government to issue a notification on deferment of EMI payment of loans during the lockdown period as well as absorb the interest subvention of interest accrued during the period.

Referring to the religious congregation in Delhi's Nizamuddin area which left several people affected by the virus, he said at a press conference addressed through video conferencing that this is not the time for a blame-game.

Police and paramilitary personnel cordoned off a major area in Nizamuddin West in south Delhi while over 200 people have been kept in isolation in hospitals after several people who took part in a religious congregation there earlier this month showed COVID-19 symptoms.

Referring to lakhs of migrant labourers trying to reach their native places traversing long distances by foot, the Congress leader said, "We request the government to make arrangements and ensure that those on the streets, desperately trying to get home should be helped in getting home safely."
India currently is the lowest tested nation in the world. COVID-19 is progressing towards phase three or community transmission and the only way to deal with it in a better manner is to conduct as many tests as possible, he said
Asked on who is to be blamed for the Nizamuddin incident, he said, "This is not the time for blame game. This is not the time to check the intentions of governments now. People should adopt restraint... A time will come for these questions to be asked. But, this is not the right time."