To resolve the grievances and issues related to farmers amid curfew or lockdown period due to COVID-19, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department has established a state control room in view of ensuing Rabi Marketing Season for hassle-free wheat harvesting operations besides marketing of farmers produce.
Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Viswajeet Khanna said that Agriculture Officers had been deputed at control room with their mobile numbers to enable farmers to contact them for various issues related to agriculture.
The officer would listen to the issues of farmers at Control Room from 8 am and 8 pm and get their issues redressed in minimal time.
SUGARFED TO PROVIDE 20L KGS SUGAR TO POOR AND NEEDY
During curfew or lockdown imposed due to COVID-19 epidemic, Sugarfed will provide 20 lakh kgs sugar (20 lakh packets of one kg each) to the poor, of which 50,000 kgs have already been supplied.
Punjab Cooperation Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said that all necessary arrangements have been made to provide ration to poor and needy. “50,000 packets have been sent today and remaining will be supplied in the coming days. To ensure availability of this essential commodity, we will keep a check on black marketing,” he said.
OOAT CLINICS, DE-ADDICTION CENTRES TO PROVIDE TAKE-HOME DOSE FOR TWO WEEKS TO REGISTERED PATIENTS
In a major relief for victims of drug abuse, Punjab Government has permitted 198 OOAT clinics, 35 government de-addiction centres and 108 licensed private de-addiction centres to provide take-home dose for two weeks of medicine Buprenorphine + Naloxone to the registered patients of substance abuse after assessment by the psychiatrists.
Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said that instructions have already been issued to all Deputy Commissioners in this regard.
“Special instructions are being issued to them to main distance from each other during receiving medicines from centre...Most of the centres are functional and distributing medicine to the patients,” he said.
PUNJAB WAIVES OFF BIOMETRIC AUTHENTICATION PROCESS OF SSBY BENEFICIARIES
Punjab Government has directed to waive off process of biometric authentication of the patients before getting treatment from empanelled hospitals under the Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojna (SSBY).
Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said that the process of patient’s bio authentication at the time of admission or discharge has been waived off temporarily in safety interest of the patients who are eligible under the scheme.
19 MILK PLANTS FUNCTIONAL, REMAINING 2 TO BE MADE OPERATIONAL
Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Sunday directed the Cooperation Department to ensure that all milk plants in the state are made operational so that milk producers and dairy farmers are not put to any hardship or inconvenience during the curfew or lockdown period in view of corona virus. While 19 milk plants have already been made operational, the remaining two will become operational from April 1, said the official spokesperson.