The district magistrates should adopt a humane and practical approach while resolving the issues of general public according to the situation in the district in view of COVID-19. The Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat issued this direction while chairing a review meeting with senior officials in which the DMs were also present via video link.
Rawat said that in case of marriage, the practicality of both the bride and groom’s side should be considered. Such instances can also be inter-district.
Permission should be granted for marriages while observing social distancing and other directions of the Central Government. Those who are stranded due to the lockdown due to various reasons should be administered a health check and allowed to return to their home district (green category). Those who have completed 14-day quarantine should be administered a health check on the 15th day and their return should be arranged.
The CM further directed that in the interests of farmers, considering the mango and litchi season, travel should be facilitated after necessary medical check for the contractors coming for purchasing the fruits. In the interests of farmers cultivating peas, frozen pea processing enterprises should also be encouraged. Considering the people who migrate during the summer and winter in the border districts of Chamoli, Uttarkashi and Pithoragarh, arrangements should be made for their transport, fodder and water for their cattle and potable water for the people in view of the summer. Rawat said that due to the lockdown, reverse migration has been done by thousands of people. A pro forma has been prepared to see how the number of such people can be increased even after the lockdown is lifted. About 30,000 forms have been sent for this purpose.
This process will prove helpful in preparing plans for the future. The DMs should also pay attention to this aspect in their respective districts, said Rawat. He asked all the DMs to encourage as many people as possible to contribute in the CM relief fund, adding that this amount can help a lot in execution of public welfare works.
CThe effective implementation of all directions being issued by the state government for rescue and relief works in view of COVID-19 must be ensured, he stressed.
Chief secretary Utpal Kumar Singh directed all DMs to focus on deployment of medical staff and their training in the districts to help in tackling challenges in the future. Agricultural activities should be facilitated efficiently in accordance with the Central Government’s directions. Coordinating with industries, arrangements should be made to provide work to the migrant labourers.
Regular health checks and efforts to boost the morale should be ensured in migrant camps, he said. Referring to reports of truck drivers transporting essential commodities being quarantined for 14 days in some districts, Singh said that such drivers should be administered a health check and allowed to go ahead. Attention should also be paid to accounting of materials being distributed.
Additional chief secretary Om Prakash said that according to Central government directions,75 per cent complete works related to national highway, Char Dham road project, Kumbh Mela works, bridges, NABARD, PWD, State and district plan works are to be executed.
These should be executed as per the standards in accordance with the guidelines. Necessary facilities should be provided to labourers in construction works. Authority engineer, junior engineer should be posted at such works sites for weekly review and ensuring observance of the guidelines.