PANKAJ DHUNGEL
GANGTOK: With Lockdown-2 being partially opened from April 20, State chief secretary S.C. Gupta asserted that the threat to Sikkim is only from outside the borders now.
On the plans to lift the lockdown and therewith the imposition of Section 144 in the State being lifted, the chief secretary at Tashiling Secretariat here on Saturday asserted that at some point economic activities have to begin.
‘The prohibitory order for assembly of not more than five people is still in place. But economic activities have to begin at some point of time. It is estimated that the nation’s economic growth will see a drop but will still remain positive at 1.9% against many countries going negative on the economic index. The restrictions will continue and 99% of the people in State complied with the lockdown, it is merely the one percent which created trouble for us. It has been their defiance against the lockdown that was trouble. We understand that people feel bottled up but Sikkim has shown exemplary discipline with lockdown and it is just a matter of few days now, so stay home and happy until then,” said the chief secretary to media.
Highlighting how any good cause in Sikkim is disseminated on a wider scale, the chief secretary stressed on the use of Aarogya Setu app, which helps in contact tracing of Covid-19 positive cases, to be a prerequisite for those coming in or going out of the State. With decision on bringing Sikkimese people stranded outside of the State still up for consideration, Gupta shared that the app would come in handy for self-declaration later upon their entry to the State.
“Upon their return to the State after May 3, the app will facilitate their return. Since they have 15 odd days for the usage of app, even if they have contracted the virus, they will be on the safer side with contact tracing being easier. The app is a prerequisite for their return. There exists threat only from outside the State and we must remain vigilant with the protocol for entry and exit from the State strictly in place.”
Gupta also highlighted how the self-declaration forms are available online for those stranded outside the State.
The chief secretary stressed on the usage of app as a prerequisite, stating: “People have a higher chance of coming in touch with the virus but technology doesn’t. So, the app will give us an update on the affected patients in the vicinity, it becomes useful for health workers and other frontline workers. It will also be helpful when the State opens up the lockdown partially from April 20, when workers will be returning to their jobs. The app will also help in ensuring safety of truckers and drivers ferrying essential commodities to the State.”
Gupta informed that money collected through Chief Minister’s Relief Fund have been allocated to health sector, civic bodies and police department.
“We have given Rs. 5000 as honorarium to over 700 ASHA workers, while those patients stranded outside the State have been given Rs. 30,000 each while 1,452 students studying outside the State have been given Rs. 5000 each. Here at home, 2,193 construction workers have been awarded a one-time financial assistance of Rs. 2000. Also, more than one lakh beneficiaries have been provided with basic rations so far.”
The chief secretary mentioned that the second phase of ration distribution would follow in 2-3 days from respective district magistrates. “The rations and food packets have so far been delivered to the beneficiaries but there are still many who have been left out. There are issues with supply chain but in terms of rice stock, we have enough to last for 2 more months. The other goods have to be brought from outside the State but complete distribution for all those left out from the prepared list of beneficiaries by the DMs will be carried out in tandem with the Food and Civil Supplies department in the days to come”.
With construction and building works being opened after April 20, a question was raised with regards to construction materials being brought from outside the State. “Even if it is private or government contract works being carried out, the materials will have to be used from within the State of what is available. There is a regulatory movement even on SNT truckers and goods carriers, but some decision will be taken before April 20 with the Transport secretary. Truckers from West Bengal can return on the same day. Those from other States ferrying such essential commodities will not be allowed to mingle with the locals with a devoted transit camps for such drivers and their helpers.”
Altogether, 1,08,400 vehicles and 6,05,000 people have been screened at Sikkim borders since January.sikkimexpress/from, india
