-TheWire.in As India moves into the start of the second week of the 21-day Lockdown period imposed nationwide by the Government of India, it helps to examine the manner in which migrant workers have been coping with the Lockdown’s requirements. Migrant workers have been moving out of India’s cities to their respective towns villages, many of them on foot due to unavailability of transport. Please click here to read more.   ...

-The Hindu India needs a national policy providing for free testing and treatment of COVID-19 patients in private hospitals As India enters the second week of a national Lockdown imposed in response to COVID-19, it is still unclear how well prepared the healthcare system is in dealing with the pandemic. Given the resource constraints of both the Central and State governments, it is clear that government hospitals alone will not be able...

-Scroll.in Vegetable farmers are already reeling under losses and wheat farmers are worried about labour shortages. The wheat crop on Sukbhir Singh’s four acres of land 20 km from Ludhiana in Punjab will be ready for harvest next week. Plentiful rain and an unusually cold winter, said the farmer, is set to increase the yields. But he is worried about the Lockdown: would he be able to harvest and transport the grain under...

-The Hindu Business Line Disruptions in the food value chain are becoming visible now. The government needs to recognise that ensuring adequate food and nutrition for the population is as essential as providing health services The community spread of coronavirus can wreak havoc in India, as the population density is extremely high and the health infrastructure inadequate. To contain the Covid-19 pandemic, the government has shut the country down, including all the...

-Newsclick.in A survey conducted of ration shops in Delhi reveals loopholes in the public distribution system as many continue to starve. Despite government announcements and civil society aid, food security continues to remain a problem for the poor in Delhi. Many continue to starve amid the 21-day Lockdown imposed to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus. Although the Delhi government has announced measures for the supply of food grains to the poor,...