Chandigarh May 31- Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal said that various steps are being taken by the State Government in its fight against on-going global Pandemic COVID-19. However, while fighting this battle, providing ration to every needy has remained the topmost priority of the State Government so that no one remains hungry in this hour of crisis.

“The ration cardholders as well as those who do not have any card, have been provided ration through ‘Distress Tokens’. This facility was provided to around 4 lakh 86 thousand people in the State” he added.

The Chief Minister said that the State Government through Haryana Roadways buses and Special Sharmik trains made elaborate arrangements to send labourers back to their respective home states from Haryana in a safe and systematic manner.

The Chief Minister said this while addressing the officers of District Administration at Kaithal today. Minister of State for Women and Child Development Mrs. Kamlesh Dhanda was also present on the occasion.

Addressing the officers, Chief Minister said that to fight the battle against this Pandemic, the State Government and the District Administration have worked day and night, as a result of which Haryana is in a better position as compared to other states. He said that this is the worst Pandemic which is being witnessed worldwide and the world is badly affected by this. At the initial stage itself Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi took an important decision of announcing lockdown in the entire country to prevent the virus from spreading. Haryana too took many important steps to prevent the spread of infection in the State, he added.

The Chief Minister said that as no vaccine is available for the treatment of this infection till now, therefore each one of us has to ensure that precautions like wearing masks, adhering to social distancing norms are incorporated in our lifestyle. He said that the number of COVID-19 testing labs would be increased in Haryana.

He said that the state as well as the district administration of Kaithal has worked vigorously in curbing this global Pandemic, for which everyone deserves to be applauded. Arrangements were also made by the government to provide ration to all the people. In Kaithal district, around 25,416 people were provided ration through Distress Tokens, the Chief Minister shared.

The Chief Minister said that additional procurement centers were set up by the government for hassle-free procurement of farmers’ crops during COVID-19 Pandemic. If the farmers' payment of this season is outstanding, then the concerned department should make sure to release the pending amount to the concerned farmer immediately.

He said that as lockdown-4 is over, and now the Ministry of Health has announced Unlock-1, therefore during this period, everyone should wear masks and ensure strict adherence to social distancing norms. He said that as Corona infection spreads rapidly, therefore we all have to remain cautious to prevent the spread. A provision of penalty has also been made for those found violating guidelines.

He said that the State Government is also making plans for the future. It is very important to save the water for our future generations which is the most precious gift of nature. We have to use it properly. He said that the micro-irrigation system is very beneficial for water conservation. He said about 3000-liter water is required for sowing one kg rice. Therefore, to save water for ourselves and for the coming generations, we have to adopt crop diversification He said that farmers have been called upon to save water by sowing other crops instead of paddy.

On this occasion, Chairman of Haryana Tourism Corporation, Mr. Randhir Golan, MLA Mr. Leela Ram, Mr. Ishwar Singh, Superintendent of Police Mr. Shashank Kumar Sawan, SDM Mr. Vivek Chaudhary, and Ms. Shashi Vasundhara and other officers were present.