Srinagar June 7:(KNS) JDU party president G.M.Shaheen said The lockdown has already disproportionately hurt marginalized communities due to loss of livelihood and lack of food, shelter, health, and other basic needs. The government does have a responsibility to protect the health and well-being of the population,

but some of these steps have left Thousands of vegetable and fruit vendors, milk sellers, auto rickshaw and taxi drivers labors and

 middle class people on adverse conditions and are badly affected had no choice left . 

Authorities should recognize that malnourishment and untreated illness will exacerbate problems and should ensure that the most marginalized don’t bear an unfair burden from lack of essential supplies shaheen said

The government should pay pending wages for all work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and expand its scope to those now forced out of work. Rural laborers will not be able to work because of the lockdown and should be given wages during the crisis. Farming communities are facing losses during harvest season and the government needs to step up procurement to

protect agricultural income and save the produce

Govt have targeted daily wage workers, such as vegetable and fruit vendors, milk sellers, auto rickshaw and taxi drivers, and others delivering essential goods . shaheen added

The authorities in Ut should take all necessary steps to ensure that everyone has access to food and medical care, and that the poor and marginalized are not mistreated or stigmatized,” shaheen said “The J&K government’s responsibility to protect its people from the outbreak should not come at the cost of human rights. (KNS)