After Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced 21 days lockdown to defeat Coronavirus, its impact has started showing. On Sunday, the fifth day of the lockdown, the streets and vegetable markets were deserted with very thin crowd at vegetable market. At the same time, police are also stopping motorist and bikers moving on road without any valid reason. The roads of the capital Ranchi were completely deserted since Sunday morning.
However, like other metropolitan cities, the migration of laborers from capital to other districts has become a cause of concern. Due to lack of money and transport facilities many villagers are left with no other alternative than to move to their native places on foot.
At the same time, preparations are also fast for Chaiti Chhath Puja. On Sunday, many people arrived at the Daily Market Mandi for purchasing fruits for Kharna Poojan, many people bought the fruit from the markets near Piska More, Ratu Road and Hinoo Chowk.
Moreover, ward councilors have been given the task to prepare the list of people coming from outside. If a person has come from outside and is living under the limit of Ranchi Municipal Corporation area without informing local administration then the ward councilors will prepare the list. Municipal Commissioner Manoj Kumar has urged all ward councilors to prepare a list of people coming from outside. It includes both interstate and those people coming from abroad. By this way, the administration will prepare the list of outsiders which can be Coronavirus infection can be prevented.
Moreover, the department of food and civil supplies has issued toll free number 1967 and 18002125512 and WhatsApp number 8968583111 where people can make compliant if they find any difficulties in getting food grains or in case of black marketing or hoarding. The department since the launch of toll free number has received 1669 complaints and out of which 355 complaints have been shorted out.
Moreover, the department has also made flying squad – two each in a block – which will keep check on black marketing and hoarding of food grains.
Also, for those laborers or such type of people who are finding difficulties in getting food, the department has decided to set up additional Daal Bhaat Kendras. 342 additional Daal Bhaat Kendras will be set up and from each centre food will be provided to around 200 people. District wise, the largest number of Daal Bhaat Kendras is set up in East Singhbhum and Dhanbad district where 35 such centres have been set up followed by 28 centres in Palamu district. The Daal Bhaaat Kendras will be set up at police station wise and department of food and civil supplies Rs 2.99 crore for meeting the expenditure cost in running these centres.
Meanwhile, hospitals remained vacant on Sunday. Barring a few patients visiting the Outdoor Patient Department (OPD), there was no major rush at any of the Government hospitals. The fear of getting infected by Coronavirus also kept commoners away from private hospitals in the State capital. The Government has set up isolation wards in all Government hospitals as well as some private hospitals in Jharkhand.