Soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Chief Ministers through video conference to review the situation arisen due to spread of coronavirus, Himachal CM Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday held a video conference with the Deputy Commissioners (DC's) and Superintendents of Police (SP's) and asked them that there should be total ban on of social and religious gatherings.
He said that Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) should also be involved to fight this menace, pointing out that people should be requested to follow the advisories of the Central and State Governments being issued from time to time.
Thakur directed the DCs and SPs to motivate the religious leaders not to organize such functions and take necessary action against the violators. He also asked them to hold meetings with religious leaders and disseminate the recorded messages of such leaders through various modes of communication to motivate the people of their respective communities to avoid religious gatherings and celebrations.
The Chief Minister said that as harvesting of crops was now on, therefore it should be ensured that a proper mechanism should be evolved for this, adding that farmers should be sensitized regarding social distancing as Prime Minister has also expressed his concern for ensuring safety of farmers during the crop harvesting season.
Thakur said that old age homes centres should also be taken care of and the elderly should be motivated to stay at their homes. He said that team of volunteers such as National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS) and Yuvak Mandals should also be involved to sensitize the people about corona virus and social distancing.
The CM directed the officers to ensure availability of essential commodities in their respective districts, adding that necessary steps should also be taken to check hoarding and profiteering of essential commodities and stringent actions must be taken against the defaulters. He said home delivery system should further be strengthened and smooth plying of trucks carrying essential commodities should be ensured so that supply chain of these commodities could be maintained.
He also directed the officers to keep a close watch on the persons who had visited Nizamuddin New Delhi during the recent past so that such persons could be kept under strict surveillance and medical advice.
THAKUR DIRECTS OFFICERS TO ENSURE ADEQUATE STOCK OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES
Presiding over a meeting with senior officers of the state government, Thakur later reviewed the situation of essential commodities and asked the Department of Food and Civil Supplies and Civil Supplies Corporation to ensure adequate stock of essential commodities in open markets. He said efforts should also be made to ensure buffer stock in Civil Supplies Corporation’s depots, adding that special thrust should be laid on checking, hoarding and profiteering and strict action must be taken against the violators. The CM said steps must be taken to have adequate stock of pulses as the same has to be procured from other states. He said that the officers should also keep liaisoning with major whole sellers so that the supply chain was not interrupted.
CALL ON TOLL FREE 1077 FOR ANY HELP, SAYS CM
Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday said all necessary and effective measures were being taken to control coronavirus and to make the lockdown a complete success.
He said that 1077 is the toll free number of disaster control rooms set up in all districts of the State, which were named as Emergency Operation Centers. He said that this number is operational round the clock and can be called from any mobile or landline number for any kind of assistance.
He said that the government has ensured proper arrangements of food, shelter etc. for the needy people and any person residing in the state can call at 1077 for help, adding that calls from different parts of the State are being received on 1077, which were being responded promptly.
He said that 6,336 slum dwellers in different parts of the State have been provided assistance in the form of ration today, after receiving calls on 1077.
Thakur said uninterrupted supply of all essential items was being ensured and there was continuity in supply chain, adding that supply of essential items was being ensured in grocery shops so that common man does not face any problem. He said the government is ensuring the proper supply of vegetables and fruits in the market and people are getting enough time for buying.