SHILLONG: President of Meghalaya People’s Labour Union (MPLU) Erwin K Syiem Sutnga, while lauding the measures taken by the state government to tackle the possible outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19), has urged Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to streamline and simplify the system of financial assistance.
In a letter to the chief minister, Sutnga said that less bureaucracy-oriented approaches have to be adopted in these challenging times of life threat and failing economy due to the pandemic.
He further advised that the state government should increase the limit of Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) and simplify the payment methods by removing the cash burden of the insured and the time taken to clear the bill by private and government hospitals. Medical coverage under the scheme should be expanded and the cash cover increased, he added.
While stating that the crimes in the state will increase following the COVID-19 era, he stressed that violation under sections 269/270/271 of IPC should be made into non-bailable offences with minimum imprisonment of 3 years.
He also emphasised on the need to organise Rangbah Shnongs Dorbar Shnong, Nokmas and respective Village Employment Councils (VECs) into “Village Corona Defense Party” under their respective BDOs to enforce social distancing, create awareness, and deliver essential commodities and medicines as well as to keep vigil in their areas.
Sutnga also said that protection and incentives should be provided to those who are on the frontline in the fight against the pandemic such as doctors, nurses, volunteers, etc.
In line with the recommendation of the Bar Council of India recommendations to offer financial assistance to young and new advocates with law practice of below 5 years, the union president, who is also an advocate, urged the chief minister to move in this matter since the advocates are also daily wage earners.
With regard to the toll free number 1070, set up to address the problems of women, commercial vehicle drivers, small and micro businesses and other sector daily wage earners, the MPLU president said that there are still some fine tuning needed as the number is always engaged.
More lines in the tune of 50 or more should be activated immediately to respond to the stakeholders calling in, he added.
The union president also asked the chief minister to alleviate the distress amongst miners in the mining sector by using the District Mineral Fund even as he said that the muster roll workers of Horticulture ad other departments must be paid their dues.
