SHILLONG: Thma U Rangli-Juki (TUR) has highlighted a series of suggestions for the state government to consider in view of the prevailing threat of coronavirus in the state.
In a letter addressed to the chief minister on Sunday, the TUR, while encouraging social distancing as well as proper personal hygiene practices, said that other measures need to be taken by the government so that people can follow the rule of isolation to stop the spread of the virus.
TUR pointed out if the working classes, disadvantaged and poor are not able to take safety measures, the government will not be able to stop the virus from spreading in the state.
Income support
In order to adopt social distancing, TUR said assurance of minimum income support and good emergency response can help ensure that everyone, including the poor need not step out in search of work during these times.
Besides this, TUR also suggested other measures that can be a part of the people oriented strategy against the pandemic in the state.
Livelihoods lost through lockdowns should be compensated both for the urban unorganized sector and rural farming sector through cash transfers based on official minimum wage or a minimum income support, said the pressure group, adding that each working family should get at least a skilled daily wage for each work day lost.
Similar measure can be taken for muster roll/work charge employees/contract workers/private school teachers/retail workers in the form of paid leave for the period of lock downs.
Material relief in rural areas such as increase in amount of free rations should be distributed through existing PDS systems for BPL families for at least two months, said the letter. It further said that fair price shops should be augmented with more essential goods for sale and for everyone.
The group also suggested Mid Day meals and Special Nutrition Programmes should be provided to school children at home and that farmers who have taken loans through the Kisan Credit Card should also get relief through moratorium on payment of interest and principal amortization.
Hospitalization or OPD charges and testing should be free during the period of lockdown and for any respiratory tract infections or suspected coronavirus symptoms,
The public health workers, both in private and public sector, should be protected through incentives and all proper medical equipment, said the pressure group.
To stop the spread of the virus, the group said all areas, including non-municipal areas, should be fumigated while all markets, shops and offices should have adequate number of handwashing/ sanitizing stations.
The government should also give transparency in the information being shared about the pandemic and all actions taken should be explained and shared, advised the group while suggesting that rumour-mongers should be held responsible for their actions.
Apart from these, the group also suggested punishment of those who engage in hoarding or overcharging essential goods. Those found discriminating against infected patients should be punished, it added.
Meanwhile, organisations encouraging meetings and assemblies should be actively discouraged, the letter said.
