Himachal CM seeks help of panchayat pradhans in implementing home quarantine strictly

SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said that although the state government had decided to keep those coming from red zones in institutional quarantine, there was possibility of corona infection from even those coming from green or orange zones.
He said that since they were being kept under home quarantine, it was essential that proper protocol was maintained to ensure that other members of the families do not get infected.
Jai Ram Thakur, addressing the elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions of Mandi and Kullu districts through video conferencing, sought their cooperation in effectively implementing the ‘Nigah’ programme launched by the state government. He said this programme envisages keeping a vigil on those under home quarantine so that they do not jump the quarantine.
He said that over one lakh Himachalis stranded in various parts of the country have returned to the state and about 60,000 have expressed their willingness to return to the state in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. He said that panchayat raj institution representatives should come forward to motivate family members to maintain social distancing with people undergoing home quarantine.
He said that gram panchayats and other elected representatives of grassroots level democratic institutions should come forward to ensure effective management and execution of home quarantine facilities in the State to check spread of Corona pandemic in their respective areas.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the panchayati raj institution representatives should gather prior information regarding arrival of a person from other parts of country in their respective areas and also visit the house of person in advance, so that appropriate steps could be taken for proper isolation of the person.
He also asked them to effectively undertake various developmental works in their respective areas. He said this would not only ensure that pace of development goes uninterrupted but would also provide employment to the local populace. He said that steps should also be taken to effectively execute works under the MNREGA as the government had provided adequate funds for the same.