Chief Minister Hemant Soren today said that it is time to come together and fight against Covid-19. The State Government is very sensitive in terms of social security, healthcare and migrant labourers. “With this coronavirus outbreak, people from various institutions are united to fight against it, along with the government. A sense of social harmony is being observed at this time of menace, and the government will strictly deal with the one who will try to impair it,” he said.
The CM was speaking during an all party meeting with the leaders of the different political parties to review the current situation of the Corona Virus (Covid-19) outbreak in Jharkhand at the Project Building here on Friday.
The CM said that also, there has been a growth in the corona positive cases, and with this alarming situation, there is a big challenge coming towards the government. It will be the endeavour of the government to protect the people of the state as well as to provide assistance to the stranded people.
The CM informed the representatives of the parties that about 2 lakh people had come to the State before and after the lockdown, out of which 1.70 lakh were identified. The government is continuously monitoring everyone to deal with the current situation. The list of visitors from outside is also being prepared at the panchayat level.
The Government is ready to deal with adversity at every possible level. Resources are being mobilised to increase the health facilities to deal with Corona Virus. After Ranchi and Jamshedpur, the process of testing has also been started in Dhanbad. The government is also committed to provide facilities to the health workers who are working round the clock in this hour of pandemic.
He said that food grains and two time meals should be ensured in this hour of pandemic to the needy. “The government is making every possible efforts to ensure that no one in the State or outside the State goes hungry. The arrangements for food at the district and panchayat level have been made by the government. Two months advance ration has been made available to the people. A plan is being made to provide Rs 15 lakh to all the MLAs of the State, so that food items can be made available to the needy on their recommendation. Also, food is being distributed among the needy through various institutions,” he added.
The CM informed that about seven lakh migrant labourers of Jharkhand are stranded in various states of the country due to the lockdown. Complete information is being collected in this regard. Necessary assistance is also being provided to them. The government is also planning to generate employment for those workers when they return home. This will be a big challenge for the government and the government is readying itself in this direction,” he said.
Soren requested the representatives of various political parties to make people aware to get tested, who have came from outside. The State government has also requested the people to come forward and cooperate with the government in the testing process, so that the Corona Virus can be stopped which can save the society, state and the country.
JPCC chief cum Minister Rameshwar Oraon, said that the government is working in tandem with the policy devised to deal with the Corona Virus. Food is being provided by the Central Government under the Food Security Act. Despite this, the government has made a provision of a budget of Rs. 200 crores for food grains. The contingency fund for food grains will prove to be effective for the needy in this hour of crisis.
Supriyo Bhattacharya of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha said that the entire team of the present government is fighting against this pandemic. It cannot be claimed, at this juncture, that the situation is within the control of the government. The government should work towards increasing the immunity of the people.
The government can increase the immunity power of the people to a great extent by distributing vitamin C and D medicines among the people through shops of public distribution system or other means. Today the people of lower middle class are more helpless. The government will also have to pay attention to them. Attention must be paid on the large number of students stranded in other states. The government should also consider on extending the lockdown period.
AJSU Party Chief Sudesh Mahato, said that the government should ensure testing of the people coming from other states and abroad. The need of the hour is to identify people suffering from the virus, test them and give priority to their treatment. One small mistake can cost hundreds of life. The government should consider a complete lockdown of the Corona Virus hotspots. Apart from Corona Virus, there should be an alternative system of treatment for people suffering from other diseases. The government should ensure Safety of health workers.
State BJP president Deepak Prakash said that the State Government should provide financial support to migrant labourers of Jharkhand who are stranded in other states. When they come back, the need of the hour will be to check their health and also generate employment for them. The availability of food should be ensured to all the needy. The government should focus on increasing the health resources to deal with Corona Virus, which can further strengthen this fight.