Raut calls for preparing plan for supply of essential goods
17 Apr 2020 09:36:05
Dr Nitin Raut, Guardian Minister of district, acknowledging receipt of PPE kits by United Builders’ Association. Ravindra Thakare, District Collector; Tukaram Mundhe, Municipal Commissioner, andothers also are seen.
Staff Reporter :
Dr Nitin Raut, Guardian Minister of district, asked the district administration and officials concerned to prepare a plan for supply of essential goods to citizens as the lockdown has been extended up to May 3. Also, he asked the administration to prepare plan for provision of shelter and food to migrant workers. The plan should cover supply of grocery, vegetables, milk, medicines, health services, and community kitchen, he said. Dr Raut issued the directions in a meeting he chaired at District Collector office here on Wednesday.
Dr Bhushankumar Updhyay, Commissioner of Police; Ravindra Thakre, District Collector; Tukaram Mundhe, Municipal Commissioner; Yogesh Kumbhejkar, Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Parishad; Nilesh Bharne, Additional Commissioner of Police; Shweta Khedkar, Deputy Commissioner of Police; Dr Sajal Mitra, Dean of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH); and officers of various departments attended the meeting.
Dr Raut asked the officials concerned to prepare plan for provision of grocery kit to people who had Aadhaar card but did not have ration card, or those who did not have Aadhaar card and ration card both. Stating that distribution of grocery kit in rural areas was smooth, he pointed out the need for better planning in this regard in urban area. For community kitchen, he said, funds will be provided keeping in mind the need. Credible social organisations should be entrusted with the responsibility of distribution of food to needy persons. Funds will be provided to such organisations but Police Department should keep a check on this, he suggested.
As far as GMCH and Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital are concerned, Dr Raut said that the doctors and nurses to be available under State Government’s ‘COVID Yoddha’ initiative should be given proper training. Facilities should be provided to frontline health workers as per the protocol. Nagpur Municipal Corporation should provide mask, gloves, and sanitisers to sanitation workers in the city. Mundhe informed the Guardian Minister that 170 teams were deployed on surveillance in the city, and that survey of senior citizens was completed. Thakare said that the laboratory at MAFSU had got approval and would become operational soon. So far, 1974 staffers in GMCH were given training and that the hospital was divided into COVID and non-COVID parts, said Dr Mitra.
After the meeting, Dawoodi Bohra Samaj Builders’ Association handed over 200 personal protective equipment (PPE) kits to Dr Raut, for GMCH and IGGMCH. The office-bearers of the Association and senior Government officers were present on the occasion. Dawoodi Bohra Samaj Builders’ Association members Mustufa Bhai Topiwala, Mohsin Bhai Khamushi, Khuzema Bhai Maimoon, Qaid Johar Bhai, Hakimuddin Bhai Kiranawala, and Dr Shabbir Bhai Raja were present on this occasion.
‘Explore starting limited activity in Mahatma Phule Market’ After taking stock of the situation, the Guardian Minister said that the demand for essential goods would increase with extension of lockdown in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak. Sale of vegetables at Cotton Market and Kalamna market yard will be closed, but the sale of onion, potato, garlic, and chili will continue, said the District Collector. Dr Raut asked the administration to explore if plan could be prepared for sale-purchase activities on a limited scale at Mahatma Phule Vegetable Market.
‘Ask legislators to provide Rs 50 lakh from their fund’ Dr Nitin Raut, Guardian Minister, asked the administration to write a letter to all the legislators requesting them to allocate Rs 50 lakh each from their MLA Local Development Fund for procurement of medical equipment required to combat COVID-19 outbreak. Also, he suggested to consult elected representatives while planning measures for tiding over the prevailing crisis.