CANADIAN DOABA TIMES : CAPT AMARINDER SUGGESTS EXTENSION OF NATIONAL LOCKDOWN AT PM’S VC, SUGGESTS SEVERAL MEASURES FOR IMMEDIATE RELIEF

· ASKS FOR FASTER SUPPLY OF RAPID TESTING KITS, SPL RISK INSURANCE FOR ALL GOVT EMPLOYEES ON COVID-19 FRONTLINE

· SEEKS URGENT SPECIAL CONCESSIONS FOR INDUSTRY & AGRICULTURE TO TIDE OVER IMMEDIATE NEEDS

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Chandigarh, April 11 (CANADIAN DOABA TIMES):

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Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday recommended extension of the national lockdown by at least a fortnight, while suggesting a slew of health and relief measures to the people in the state’s COVID-19 battle, in addition to special concessions for industry and agriculture sectors on an urgent basis.

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Participating in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Video Conference with all the Chief Ministers, Captain Amarinder pointed out that there was huge uncertainty about the likely incidence of disease and the nation was in for a long fight. Given the trend in China and several European countries, it was necessary to continue the lockdown, he said, adding that though the restrictions were causing a lot of hardship to the people, India could not afford to take any chances. The people of Punjab have a high morale, and will continue to support government efforts to combat the pandemic, he added.

Captain Amarinder informed the meeting that the state government had already decided to go for curfew/complete lockdown till May 1, with all educational institutions to be closed till June 30, with state Board examinations also deferred till further orders. Section 144 remains in place, along with prohibition of public service vehicles till May 1.Pointing to the excellent work being done by these people in the current crisis, Captain Amarinder sought a Special Risk Insurance for all government employees, including police personnel, sanitation workers and all other employees, who are working day and night to help ameliorate the miseries and stress of common man in these trying times. It was important for the Centre and States to keep the morale of people and frontline workers (Health staff, police. Sanitation workers, etc) high, he stressed.

Underlining the need to substantially increase the number of tests being done and go for rapid testing, at least in the state’s hotspot areas of Nawanshahar, Dera Bassi and Mohali, the Chief Minister said the Central Government should hasten supplies of required testing kits. It may be noted that the state has ordered 10 lakh such kits from ICMR, while raising inquiry about another 10000 in the open market. He also asked for early permission for testing in DMC and CMC Ludhiana, as already requested to the Union Health Minister.

The Chief Minister further requested Rs 500 crore for quick upgradation of infrastructure of government hospitals in Punjab, which is currently at stage 2 of the pandemic and has a large NRI population. He also called for speedy approval, on priority basis, by the Centre to the state’s proposal for Rs 550 crore project to set up an Advanced Centre for Virology in Punjab.

On the relief measures needed urgently in the light of the current crisis, the Chief Minister urged the Government of India to defer recovery, and waiver of interest and penalties, on industrial loans for six months. Emphasising that the industrial establishments could not continue to look after their workers, and even pay their salaries for the period of lockdown, for a long time, he asked the Centre to think of some innovative solutions for Relief to Daily Wage Workers and Industrial Labour either through ESIC funds or under MNREGA. The Government of India may allow village Panchayats and Municipalities to utilize the 14th Finance Commission Grants for emergency relief including food and medicines for the poor and needy, he further suggested.

Captain Amarinder also asked for a one-time increase in borrowing limit from 3 per cent to 4 per cent of State’s GDP by amending the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Amendment Act (FRBM Act), 2003. His government, said Captain Amarinder, was sending a complete proposal in this regard as desired by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.

Referring to the massive harvesting and procurement operations set to begin in Punjab next week, the Chief Minister reiterated his demand for bonus to farmers to incentivize staggered/ delayed procurement of wheat. He also called for quicker movement of food grains lying in FCI godowns in Punjab, along with waiver of three months’ interest on crop loans and deferment of recovery of crops loans by commercial banks.

Thanking the Centre for releasing substantial funds since the last meeting, Captain Amarinder stressed the need for early release of pending arrears of GST on priority to help the state.

Captain Amarinder shared with the Prime Minister the latest update on the situation in Punjab, and the state’s preparedness to deal with the spread of the pandemic. Punjab has seen 151 positive cases and 11 deaths so far, with 17 of the 22 districts affected and 15 having more than 3 cases each. Mohali has the maximum of 48 positive cases.

The total number of samples tested is 3461, of which 338 results are awaited and 2971 have been found negative. There is no patient on ventilator, as of now, while 18 people have recovered from the disease.

On the preparedness of the state, he said a total of 52 isolation hospitals had bene set up so far and the state had developed a 3-phase model to handle the pandemic. The model proposes 2558 beds in 20 independent COVID Isolation facilities in the first phase. For Phase 2, the state has identified 1600 beds, along with manpower, along with 1000 additional 1000 beds in government facilities. These will be operationalized when 50% of Phase One occupancy is achieved.

Phase 3 would entail creation of 20,000 beds facility in COVID Care & Isolation Centres (CCICs), along with Temporary Hospitals for non-critical COVIF care. Should the need arise, this will be scaled up to 1 lakh beds as CCICs in Phase 4.

In terms of logistics, there are currently 76 ventilators in government hospitals and 358 in private, with 8 of another 93 ordered received so far. The current availability of PPE kits, N-95 masks and Triple Layer masks stands at 16000, 66490 and 35,11,300, while orders have been placed, respectively, for 200,000, 270,000 and 200,000.