To contain Covid-19 cases, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday said four districts of the State, including Gurgaon, which have reported the maximum number of cases, will be declared red zones, meaning stricter restrictions will be placed in the areas to check the spread of the virus.
The four districts --Gurgaon, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal -- account for more than 100 cases out of the over 160 cases reported in the state. Many areas in these districts have already been declared containment zones.
After interacting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a video conference, Khattar said in a televised address this evening that the indications from the meeting were that the lockdown is set to increase by two weeks.
It emerged during the meeting of chief ministers that areas should be categorised depending on the severity of the spread, he said.
Khattar, who had urged people to wear a mask whenever they step out of their home, said now it is a must and they should make it a habit just like we wear clothes.
About Haryana, he said, the State will be divided into three categories the worst affected will be declared a red zone. Gurgaon, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal are in that category.
The remaining 18 districts will be divided into two categories vulnerable areas in orange category, where coronavirus cases are fewer than worst-affectedareas. The third category will be of areas with minimum impact of coronavirus, he said.
The lockdown, however, will continue in all three categories. The restrictions could be milder in areas with minimally affected by the virus for economic activities, he said.
Khattar said all Chief Ministers gave their suggestions to the Prime Minister and most of them said the nationwide lockdown should be continued beyond April 14. A formal announcement will be made by the Prime Minister but all of us should be prepared, he said.
Khattar said the CMs said increasing the lockdown can help contain the spread of the virus and the Prime Minister stressed the focus now is on 'jaan bhi, jahan bhi'. Khattar said it was pointed out during the meeting that the economic activities have come to a halt and to keep these suspended for a long time is difficult for any Nation or State. If the lockdown is extended, the Prime Minister has indicated that some arrangements will be made so that small enterprises can restart. He said CMs also raised the issues related to the farmers.
Social distancing plan committees will be formed, which will work at the village, block,district, city level and will decide which industry can be allowed to run. Movement of raw material and finished goods will be allowed, he said.
To ensure there is no crowding when people go out to buy essentials items like vegetables, it has been decided to increase the duration for which such stores can open.
He said banks have been asked to work out an arrangement so that customers can request a 'token' over phone to reduce crowding at bank branches.
To provide healthcare facilities at doorsteps including medicines, the number of mobile dispensaries will be increased from 250 to 500, he said.
CHIEF SECRETARY DIRECTS OFFICERS ON MEDICAL FACILITIES
Haryana Chief Secretary Keshni Anand Arora on Saturday directed the officers concerned to ensure that the general public is not deprived of basic medical facilities and to start facilities of mobile clinics for which Haryana Roadways buses will be used.
Presiding over a meeting of Deputy Commissioners of the state during the Crisis Coordination Committee through video conferencing, she held discussions with the nodal officers regarding medical preparedness regarding Covid-19 at the meeting.
The Chief Secretary directed the officers to ensure that crowds should not gather at the procurement centres and for this a detailed strategy should be put in place and that the guidelines should be followed strictly. She directed the Deputy Commissioners to personally inspect the procurement centres to ensure that all the arrangements are in place. She also said that it should be ensured that the movement of combines and harvesters should not be restricted so that the harvesting is not hindered.
During the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary, Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, Sanjeev Kaushal said special mechanisms have been put in place in order to avoid rush at the centers. He said that details regarding which farmer will go to which mandi and on what day will be communicated to them through SMS and a list of the same will be given to the Panchayats of the villages in order to streamline the procurement process.
He shared that a Standard design for purchase centres has been prepared and designated seating plan of staff, Arthiyas, labourers has been made and every Deputy Commissioner has been directed to keep a check that the same is being implemented in each centre.
Kaushal said the entry and exit points of the procurement centres will be monitored closely and only those with unique IDs and gate passes will be allowed to enter. He said that an instruction booklet will be given to the Marketing Board employees, Arthiyas, procurement agencies, labourers, and farmers to help them navigate the procurement process smoothly. He said that since the number of procurement centres have been increased this year the employees of procurement agencies will fall short for which the employees of other departments will be deployed to ensure efficient procurement.
BIO-METRIC NOT TO BE INSISTED FOR PENSION
Giving a relief to the pensioners covered under various social security schemes, who are unable to withdraw their pension through biometric or voucher till June 30, Haryana Government has decided not to stop their pension.
Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, O.P. Yadav said presently it is mandatory that beneficiaries covered under various schemes like old age honor allowance, widow pension, Ladli pension and Divyang pension have to withdraw their pension through biometric or voucher at least once in three months but if they fail to do the same then the pension amount is sent back to the department through bank or post office and then the department stops the pension benefit of that beneficiary and he has to reapply for the pension after one year.
He said due to the ongoing lockdown due to Covid-19 outbreak across the country and pensioners were facing trouble to withdraw their pension through vouchers by going to banks. He said that keeping in view the present circumstances, the Government has decided that the pension of the beneficiaries who are unable to withdraw their pension will not be stopped till June 30.