Staff Reporter ;
RAIPUR,
Asserting that the State Government didn’t pay heed to the 8 significant suggestions forwarded by him towards prevention and control of Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, today the common people are suffering the brunt of this negligence, alleged Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (J) President Amit Jogi. In a communiqué issued by JCC (J) President Amit Jogi, he demanded from State Government to present a White Paper on the expenses made from Rs 340 crore aided by Central Government for prevention and control of COVID-19 pandemic.
Alleging that the State Government is hiding the actual figure of COVID-19 cases in State, Jogi alleged that the Health Ministry is merely a puppet in the hands of State Government and that until and unless functional autonomy is not given to the Health and Family Welfare Department, it is impossible to fight against COVID-19 pandemic. Amit Jogi said that the State Government severely lacks in any clear-cut policy, regulation, plan or programme for tackling COVID-19 pandemic, that is the reason why the pandemic is gradually towards its pinnacle in State with Capital being the hotspot. He asked why the Health Department is being treated like a puppet and why it is not being given operational autonomy. Jogi further stated that a pregnant lady who’s COVID-19 affected was thrown out of Raipur District Hospital fearing infection spread, but the lady who’s labour pain had already started, gave birth to a child in the premises of the said hospital. This proves how much preparedness the State Government has for combating COVID-19 situation. He remarked, “If the King himself is under quarantine, how much safer will be the people, it can be imagined,” he added.
Amit Jogi said that he had communicated suggestions for prevention and control of COVID-19 pandemic to the Chief Minister on March 16, 2020, but the State Government failed to follow any of these suggestions. This is the reason why today the people are suffering due to a spike in COVID-19 cases. Jogi had then urged the State Government to indefinitely close down all shops and commercial institutions barring food and medical shops. He had then suggested closing down all public and private non-essential institutions and services for at least two months alike Odisha Government on paid-leave basis to employees apart from payment of social security pension of Rs 6,000 per month.
To seal all entry points in borders completely. To carry out maximum numbers of COVID-19 detection tests and accordingly the State Government had to stock test kits. Jogi had also suggested preparing isolation centres under supervision of Block Medical Officers and to provide sufficient protective gear to doctors and para-medical staff. But unfortunately the State Government failed to bring into compliance these suggestions and results are before the people today, Amit Jogi added.