Punjab Government on Wednesday issued an advisory on maintaining hygiene and sanitization in Sewa Kendras to ensure safety of its staff and citizens from Covid-19 pandemic.
“The State Government has planned a phased approach to resume citizen-centric services provided by the Sewa Kendras. However, only the Sewa Kendras permitted by the Government to resume services shall start its functions as per the plan fixed by the Government,” said the spokesperson.
The spokespersons said that a comprehensive plan regarding staff should be drawn up which shall include sitting arrangement in a manner that minimum one metre distance is maintained amongst them at all times. Possibility of use of alternate counters for staff may be explored. Flexible timings of reporting and leaving the office, for lunch and tea breaks in between with an objective to avoid crowding the office premises shall be planned.
“The staff shall preferably wash hands with soap for at least 20 seconds and a two-hourly hand wash protocol should be followed. Staff handling documents or cash transaction is advised to sanitize or wash their hands with soap and water after the transactions. Staff should mandatorily hand wash or sanitize before touching refreshments during tea or lunch-break etc.
The meals and utensils should not be shared amongst the staff,” said the spokesperson.
The advisory stated that the staff should not roam unnecessarily in Sewa Kendra or its periphery or outside and to work from their allotted space only. “Use of intercoms or electronic media for interpersonal communication of the staff should be encouraged. Staff should be advised to wear cloth masks and it should be washed with soap and water daily after use,” it added.
For general public, lines, squares or circles should be drawn at a distance of six feet in front of service area of Sewa Kendra, said the spokesperson adding similar lines, squares or circles should be drawn in front of all counters with first one at two feet from the counter to ensure appropriate distance.
Separate queues should be designated for senior citizens, no associates of applicants should be allowed inside Sewa Kendras except in case of differently able citizens, elderly citizens and minor children.
Only citizens with valid appointments to be allowed inside Sewa Kendras, besides, they should be encouraged to make digital payment for service availed, while manual delivery of documents over the counter should be discouraged. Delivery of certificates should, preferably, be done only through speed post, the advisory stipulates.
BAJWA URGES CAPT TO STOP EXODUS OF MIGRANTS
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Partap Singh Bajwa on Wednesday urged the Punjab Government to stop the exodus of migrant workers from the State to avoid a ‘self-made’ economic crisis after the coronavirus lockdown is lifted.
Bajwa, in a letter to the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, said that around 10.08 lakh workers, who are an integral part of the state economy, have applied to go home and the State Government should convince them to stay back to avoid a labour crisis after the lockdown.
“Without these individuals, we will have a labour crisis that will irrevocably hinder our economy. With the workers gone, I fear our factories will have no labour post-lockdown,” said Bajwa while asking the Government to do everything to encourage these workers to remain in the state, otherwise, “we are staring at a self-made economic crisis” adding to the woes of the industry already reeling under the damage caused by Covid-19.
MOHALI ANNOUNCES MORE RELAXATIONS
In addition to the relaxations already in place, Mohali Deputy Commissioner Girish Dayalan on Wednesday ordered some more relaxations in curfew from Thursday (May 7) including increasing the timings of shops which can now remain open from 7 am to 3 pm, with all other previous restrictions to continue.
Liquor shops will also be allowed to open from 7 am to 3 pm, while making it clear that no liquor shops will be opened in containment areas or zones.
Regarding movement of persons, the Deputy Commissioner’s orders said that no person would move unnecessarily for non-essential work, and the movement of persons will be allowed only between 7 am and 7 pm to and from the work-place on production of identity card issued by the employer (either government or private), from 7 am to 3 pm to shops or commercial establishments and vehicles must be avoided, from 9 pm to 1 pm to banks for public dealing.
Four wheelers will be allowed with a maximum of two passengers besides a driver – and only for permitted activities, while two wheelers will be allowed without a pillion rider.
HARSIMRAT CLAIMS CENTRAL FOOD RELIEF FOR APRIL NOT DISTRIBUTED
Union Food Processing Industries Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Wednesday said that central food relief material for month of April had not been distributed to the people in Punjab.
Asking the Government not to deny the poor their due, Harsimrat said that there were reports from across the State that even though the central relief including wheat and pulses for the month of May had also reached the State, previous ration had not been delivered to them. “Negligible amount of ration has been distributed. This despite the fact that one lakh metric tonnes of wheat and 6,000 metric tonnes of pulses have been received from the centre by the State for 1.4 crore people, which is half the population of Punjab” she claimed.