Punjab Government plans to provide PPE kits also to its police force in the frontline of the battle against Covid-19, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh said at a video press conference, during which he said that while the first priority was the protection of the health workers, for whom the state already has 16,000 PPE kits.
The Government is also procuring more kits to be given to the police personnel, after all the doctors, paramedics and sanitation workers in hospitals are equipped with such kits, he said, adding that the police force was facing major risks in the current situation.
On the Patiala attack on a police party, leading to the amputation of an ASI’s hand, the Chief Minister said he had told the DGP to take strict action against the perpetrators.
“What do the Nihang think? That they can get away with this?,” he quipped, adding that his first reaction to the incident was of “extreme anger”. ASI Harjeet Singh was an extremely brave man, said Capt Amarinder.
Conceding that the number of Covid tests being conducted in the state was not sufficient, he said for mass testing, at least 10 lakh Rapid Testing Kits were needed, which the government had ordered from ICMR. So far, only 1000 kits had been received, which had become operational today in Mohali and Jalandhar.
On relaxations to be given, as also announced today by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister said the committee formed by his government was already examining ways of doing so without compromising on the health of the people.
He said relaxations would have to be staggered, in phases, and the way forward was being worked out by the task force set up for this purpose.
While there was no proposal to open liquor vends in the State at present, as the primary focus was currently on ensuring supply chain of essential goods, a decision would gradually be taken in this regard also, Capt Amarinder said in response to a question.
To a question on the central government support for the state, the Chief Minister said his government had already sought a special package, including Rs 729 for hospital upgradation, Rs 550 crore for setting up an institute for advanced virology, as well as release of the pending GST arrears of Rs 4400 crore.
While the Prime Minister had given positive indications, the package was yet to come, he said, adding that his Government was giving the Centre time to formulate a collective response to the demands of all the States.
CAPT AMARINDER SEEKS RECONSIDERATION OF ORDERS ON PAYMENT OF FULL WAGES TO WORKERS
Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider directives to industry and commercial establishments to pay full wages to their workers during the lockdown period, saying it may push them to bankruptcy.
He urged the Centre to look for innovative solutions to protect the interests of workers in these difficult times without causing irreparable damage to industry and commercial establishments.
In a letter to Modi, Capt Amarinder sought reconsideration of the order issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
"This will have huge financial implications for industry as well as shops and commercial establishments in the state and may push them to bankruptcy as the income of most of these units has completely stopped due to lockdown," the chief minister said in his letter.