Firm rules must to contain pandemic: MLA Joykisan
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 26 2021: Amidst concerted efforts of ministers and MLAs including chief minister N Biren Singh to contain the pandemic, restrictions imposed by government officials are not only creating misunderstanding among the public but also causing obstacle in containing the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in the state, stated Thangmeiband MLA Kh Joykisan, who stressed the need for the chief minister to look into the matter seriously.

In a video message made available to media houses on Friday, Joykisan said that government or department alone cannot fight the pandemic but entails collective effort with mutual understanding and discussion.

Accordingly, many people came out voluntarily to help and extend their service in containing the pandemic.

However, sticking to certain rules and regulation by government officials and imposing restriction hinder efforts in containing the pandemic.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying hard to get every citizen of the country vaccinated and the same effort is being put in by chief minister N Biren Singh to inoculate the eligible population of the state.

COVID-19 vaccination for people of Thangmeiband assembly constituency begun at a community hall at Lairenhanjaba Leikai from the first week of May after getting approval of the principal secretary (health) but the campaign had to be stopped at the said site after two days as the state mission director was against holding the programme at the community hall.

The vaccination programme site had to be shifted to the small PHC at Tarung after government directed the programme to be conducted at designated health facility.

Being small in size and not able to accommodate large gathering, a makeshift tent (Mandap) had to be constructed at the PHC Tarung premises, Joykisan said and asked whereabouts of government rules when vaccination programmes are being conducted at community halls now.

These disorderly acts and short-lived rules set by government officials not only create misunderstanding among public but also hinder effort in containing the pandemic, Joykisan said.

As per government order, COVID-19 vaccination programmes in each assembly segment have to be conducted after consulting committee headed by local MLA but there has been no discussion or consultation for the ongoing vaccination programme and as such it seems irrelevant to have such committees if there is no consultation, he said, adding that it would be better for government to announce dissolution of such committees.

While stating that it would be better to follow suggestions of Opposition MLAs if the government wants to ensure welfare of the people at least during the present situation, Joykisan said some experts were reported to have vehemently opposed suggestions brought up by Opposition MLAs to the state consultative committee.

During a meeting of the state consultative committee, Opposition MLAs suggested mass testing but it was denied and even considered it as unfeasible but mass testing programme is being conducted now, he said, adding that importance of mass testing in containing the pandemic in Wuhan in China had already been known worldwide and spectators witnessing the ongoing EURO Cup football are wearing no mask as the pandemic has been contained.

Expressing concern over non-issuance of Covid vaccination certificate to frontline warriors who had already been vaccinated citing age bar, Joy-kisan asked how frontline warriors would get the second dose if certificate for first dose is not issued.

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