In a bid to check the sharp rise in Covid-19 infection in Chhattisgarh, the lockdown period was on Monday extended to August 6 in the hot spot areas which presently are Raipur and Durg.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and attended by his cabinet colleagues and senior officers at his residence here.
Briefing the media, Agriculture and Water Resources Minister Ravindra Choubey said: “After extensive discussions on different aspects of the spike in Covid-19 in the state, both present and future, a collective decision was taken to extend the lockdown period up to August 6.”
“The Health Minister tabled the present and future status, availability of beds, increase in number of positive patients, hot spot areas and other aspects. Following which District Collectors were directed to extend lockdown till August 6,” he said.
Choubey said Raipur and Durg have emerged as hot spot areas.
The District Collectors have been directed to increase the number of beds and appoint lab technicians, Auxillary Nursing Midwifery (ANM) and health workers through the District Mineral Fund (DMF).
In another decision, Choubey said some areas of Chhattisgarh have witnessed less rains for a week, forcing farmers to look for water to continue the cultivation.
As the Water Utility Committee meetings are not possible due to Covid-19 pandemic, Monday's meeting decided to release the water from reservoirs of the state for farming, he said.
“The water will be released from July 28,” he said.
Choubey said there are Corporations, Boards and Authorities where Chairmen and Members are to be named. "A detailed discussion was held and a few names were also finalised. The announcement will be made soon.”