The Union Home Ministry on Thursday warned of action against officers found responsible for violation of lockdown guidelines including congregation of people and opening of shops and establishments.
The Ministry of Home Affairs would take action under the Disaster Management Act, officials said adding instances of violence against health workers engaged in surveillance and quarantine measures etc are also being ascertained.
For his part, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba asked the State Chief Secretaries to entrust officials as Nodal Officers to handle the grievances of migrant labours and other displaced category of people due to the lockdown.
Gauba said that senior officers like District Collectors and Municipal Commissioners may be assigned as Nodal Officers to look after the welfare of the relief camps and displaced people.
“Government of India has been giving a great deal of importance to the welfare of migrant labourers and stranded persons during the implementation of lock down measures for containment of COVID-19 in the country. The Communication urges States to direct all District Collectors to immediately undertake a review of the situation. They may appoint nodal officers, if not already appointed, for coordinating and monitoring the issues related to migrant labourers. In metropolitan areas, Municipal Commissioners may be assigned the responsibility of implementation of welfare measures,” said The Ministry of Home Affairs in a statement.
“They may also enlist the support of civil society organizations and the network of mid-day meal facilities to provide food for all the stranded persons and migrant labourers during the period of lockdown. Psycho-social counseling may also be provided to such persons, as per guidelines issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in this regard,” it adds.