CM reviews Tawang COVID-19 preparedness

ITANAGAR, May 22: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday took stock of the COVID-19 preparedness in Tawang district.

Khandu, who arrived in his hometown on Wednesday after reviewing the COVID-19 preparedness at Seppa and Bomdila, the HQs of East Kameng & West Kameng districts respectively, today took a meeting with the Tawang district administration, police and other Govt departments to review the COVID-19 situation in the district.

The Chief Minister said as the country witnesses a surge in Corona cases, especially in the immediate neighbouring state, Arunachal Pradesh must be ready for any eventuality.

“It is in such likelihood that the purpose of the preparedness level in the state should be on 100 percent prevention on spread of COVID-19 infection as and when any positive case arises,” he said, while adding that it would be failure of the State Government if the spread of the disease is not contained.

Khandu said adequate awareness must be generated to prevent spread of panic and rumours if any positive case arises. He urged the use of IEC campaigns, all means of public communication to spread awareness so that no one is ostracized if found COVID-19 positive. 

Talking about the initiatives by the State Government, the Chief Minister said that North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) and NEC funds will be 100 percent used for upgrading the health sector. He informed that a long-term policy for robust infrastructure and facilities for all 25 District Hospitals in the State is being rolled out with proposed allocation of Rs 350 crore. He also informed that 50% of MLALAD funds can be used for fighting Coronavirus.

The Chief Minister said the State Government has also launched its exercise to define its own zones, containment plan and standard operating procedures for COVID-19, which would be completed soon.

On reviving the State’s economy impacted by COVID-19 pandemic, Khandu said priority will be given to agriculture and horticulture activities. He said Government will provide farmers with fencing, seeds for agriculture and horticulture crops as well as provide support for marketing the farm produce.

He said amid the COVID-19-induced lockdown, APMC (agricultural produce marketing committee) has been activated in all the districts and it has been doing commendable job for finding markets for the farmers.

The Army and central paramilitary forces stationed in the State are also a big market for the farmers for which the state government will soon sit with the officials of the respective forces to work out the modalities, he added.

During the meeting, the CM lauded the district administration for its exemplary work in COVID-19 preparedness as well as the team effort put by the administration, Govt departments, local NGOs, and the community. He also appreciated the district administration for the elaborate arrangements made such as constituting of supervisory committee, monitoring committee and disinfectant committee to put up a robust mechanism to fight COVID-19.