Chandigarh, April 16: Amid rapid spurt in the cases of COVID-19 across the Country and State, Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal has urged the farmers not to hold any agitation during the ongoing crises.
"I urge my farmer brothers to stop their agitation during this hour of crisis. Government has always and is always ready to listen to the demands raised by them. There may be some difference of opinion, but right now there is a dire need to remain vigilant while prioritizing our health. Therefore I request my farmer brothers to end their agitation and return to their homes," appealed Sh. Manohar Lal.
The Chief Minister was interacting with the people of the state today during the 'Haryana Ki Baat' programme held through live telecast.
Sh. Manohar Lal said that it is everyone's democratic right to agitate, but it is also our collective responsibility to protect ourselves, family members and our near and dear ones from this global Pandemic, that has become a global threat to the humanity. Therefore, farmers on moral and ethical grounds should stop their movement to prevent this Pandemic.
Industrial activities to remain intact
While clearing the air over none closure of industrial activities, the Chief Minister said that unlike last year when the industrial activities were put on hold during the lockdown period imposed due to this Pandemic, this time no such restrictions would be imposed and hence the industrial activities would run smoothly. Last year due to the closure of industrial activities, some problems were faced and learning from the experience of the previous year, industrial activities will not be stopped this time. Though necessary steps would be taken for the containment of virus spread, he added.
Migrant workers living in the state should not worry
Urging the migrant labourers and workers residing in Haryana not to panic, the Chief Minister said that all the workers and labour should freely continue to work. It would be ensured that they do not face any trouble. The State Government is standing shoulder to shoulder with them and it would be ensured that they do not face any trouble, he added.
He said that last time an amount of about Rs.1500 crore was spent by the government to provide ration and financial support to these workers and this time too all possible help would be extended to them.
Ensure COVID guidelines are followed meticulously
Sh. Manohar Lal said that industrialists must ensure compliance with the COVID-19 guidelines. He said that every industrialist as per their convenience can carry out their industrial activities in shifts or can call their staff in fewer numbers on holidays so as to ensure that the virus spread is contained and even labourers do not face any kind of problem.
Smooth Procurement in state Mandis
The Chief Minister said that like last year, this year also, wheat procurement is being conducted despite the crisis. Like last year, this time too all the protocols and safety measures related to COVID-19 are being meticulously followed in every mandi and procurement centre.
He said that about 80 lakh metric tonnes of wheat is expected to arrive in the Mandis and more than half that is about 50 lakh metric tonnes have already arrived in the mandis. Out of this, 40 lakh metric tons have been procured and 25 lakh metric tons have been lifted, he added.
He said that Deputy Commissioners have been authorized to make separate arrangements for the lifting of the crop if the transporter expresses his inability to pick up the crop. However, the Deputy Commissioners have also been directed to ensure that no stocking of crop is done in the Mandis, he said.
The Chief Minister also urged the farmers that in those Mandis where the arrival of the crops is being reported more than the expected limit, in such Mandis they should bring their crops after two days so as to facilitate themselves and the Administration as well.
He said that this time the state government has decided to transfer the payment of the farmers directly to their verified accounts. The payment will be transferred within 72 hours.
Emphasis on Testing Tracking and Tracing
The Chief Minister said that it was in the month of March last year, when this Global Pandemic had started. While, this year too, the infection surge has been started from March month only
"In the last one and a half months, as many as 5858 COVID-19 positive cases have been reported in Haryana on a single day i.e. yesterday. At one time the recovery rate of Haryana had gone up to 98 percent which has now come down to 90 percent, which is a matter of concern. Therefore, the government has again started ensuring the enforcement of COVID-19 guidelines" said the Chief Minister.
Adequate arrangements in Hospitals
The Chief Minister said the adequate numbers of oxygen cylinders, ICU beds, ventilators, masks and PPE kits etc are being made available in all the hospitals across the State
"The doctors and medical staff have been put on high alert. More than 30,000 tests are being done daily and vigilant testing and tracing is being done if any person is found positive, he added.
He said that on an average testing and tracing of about 20 to 30 persons who may have contacted an infected person is being done. Besides this Teleconsultation facility is also being provided to the patients who are living in home isolation, he asserted.
He said that the government has also issued helpline numbers for the people of the state to get any kind of help or information related to COVID-19. For Panchkula, Gurugram and Faridabad districts the helping number is The helpline number is 8558893911 and for other districts, the calls can be made on 1075.
Mega Vaccination Drive
The Chief Minister said that there is no shortage of COVID-19 vaccination doses in the state. So far, 30.50 lakh vaccine doses have been administered by the Health Department. In the previous days, from April 11 to 14, 2021, a mega vaccination drive was run, in which about six lakh vaccines were administered in just five days only.
He informed that with the cooperation of all the departments from April 20, another massive vaccination campaign is about to be started, in which it will be ensured that everyone under the age of 45 gets vaccinated.
Wear masks and maintain Social Distancing
The Chief Minister said that it is very important to follow the COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour to break the infection chain. For this, strict steps are also being taken by the state government. Those who are not wearing masks are being challaned and along with this, they are also being given free masks.
The Chief Minister said that in public places, markets, cinemas, tourist places, religious places and vegetable markets, people should strictly follow social distancing norms and wear masks.
He said that due to increase in Corona cases at present, the government has also imposed night curfew banning movement of people from 10.00 PM to 5.00 AM. Besides this, in context of public programmes, directions have also been issued that for indoor venue, the gathering should be limited to 50 percent and in outdoor the limit of gathering should not be more than 200 people.
The Chief Minister said that it would be better that such programmes should be organized in the daytime rather than at night.
School closed
Sh. Manohar Lal said that all the schools from the class I to XII have been shut down till April 30, 2021, and even the examination of class X students have also been cancelled. The results of the students studying in these classes would be declared as per the guidelines issued by CBSE. Proposed examination of class XII has been postponed due to the prevailing situation and as soon as the situation will be normal then the time table will be made and the examination will be conducted.
The Chief Minister informed the people of the state that victory over this Pandemic can only be registered if everyone religiously follows COVID-19 guidelines.
" We have to defeat this Pandemic and keep moving forward with this resolve”, he said.