ITANAGAR, Jul 31: Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Mama Natung today held a virtual meeting with top officials of East Kameng district to take stock of the COVID-19 situation in his home district and review the overall preparedness in fight against the Coronavirus. He was accompanied by Chayangtajo MLA Hayeng Mangfi and Seppa East MLA Tapuk Taku and Health Secretary P Parthiban.
Chairing the video conferencing attended by DC Pravimal Abhishek Polumatla, SP Fulzele Piyush, ADC Dahey Sangno and a host of officials, the Minister called for maintaining the working spirit and tempo among the frontline workers, police personnel and officials from district administration in the fight against COVID-19 in the district.
“Real war is now beginning, as the virus has entered our district. We need not only to fight the virus but at the same time need to learn to live with the virus,” said Natung.
He also stated that the development activities i.e. implementation of various central and state flagship programs should not be hampered rather should go along with the Coronavirus battle.
Natung suggested the DC to rope in all stakeholders in the district such as EKSWCO, the Chamber of Commerce & Industries and the colonies’ secretaries by giving them responsibilities for making effective containment of Covid in the district.
He also directed the DC to constitute a rapid response team involving the private companies like Suhsi Infra etc for clearing the road blockades in the district so that disruption in surface communication should not hamper the fight against COVID-19 and transportation of essential items.
The Minister assured that all possible efforts would be made from his side to ensure primary requirements of the district administration and frontline workers in fight against the virus are met. He also urged the DA to ensure no villagers face ration and essential items crisis amid the Covid crisis.
Lauding the effort of district administration, police personnel and the health workers in the fight against the virus, Hayeng Mangfi asked the district administration to create a congenial atmosphere and close coordination among the administrators and the police personnel. Mangfi also suggested the DC to involve the district parental organization EKSWCO in regulating the public.
Tapuk Taku suggested for effective and strict checking at the district entry check gates by deploying more police personnel. He also asked the DA to ensure hassle free ATM service in the township area amid the pandemic situation.
Expressing displeasure over the recent differences between the administrators and the police, the Seppa East MLA called for resolution of the same within the four walls and to work for greater interest of the district as a team with close coordination.
Later, the elected representatives from the district announced to divert Rs 25 lakh from their MLALAD fund for the COVID-19 management in the district as an immediate response to the crisis.
Giving a PPT presentation on overall Covid preparedness in the district, DC Pravimal Abhishek Polumatla said the district needs more rapid antigen test kits and also a general duty medical officer in the District Hospital and two ambulances.
The DC also informed that due to blockades at multiple locations in Seppa-Bhalukpong road, the district may face shortage of rations. He appealed to the authority concerned to re-route the ration supplies from the existing route, using the Banderdewa-Itanagar-Sagalee road.
ADC Dahey Sangno reflected the fund crisis issue in managing the Covid situation and requested the elected representatives to ensure the fund may be released immediately.