The minister also expressed that it is high time that all the government offices and institutions in hill areas be streamlined as irresponsible and unprofessional government employees have been defying their duties and have depended on hired substitutes.
TFM Desk
Minister of WR and YAS Letpao Haokip conducted a two-day tour of the remote areas of Khengjoi sub-division of Chandel district to inspect and supervise the mass vaccination and awareness programmes of COVID-19.
He opined that village chieftains have a huge role to play in raising awareness to the hilly villagers regarding the vaccination, and also for streamlining the government institutions in remote hill areas, according to a DIPR Manipur release.
On Sunday, a mass vaccination cum awareness drive was held at Khangbarol village. DC Chandel M Rajkumar, SP Chandel L Deben Singh, SDO Khengjoi L Herojit, special guest Dr Jamlal, village chiefs and student and civil bodies’ representatives also took part in the programme.
In his speech, Letpao said that getting oneself vaccinated is the most effective way to remain COVID-free as of now. One should not doubt the benefits of this vaccine and should not believe in misinformations and rumours that discouraged vaccination, he added.
He further appreciated the full-hearted initiative of the District Administration, Chandel for such a mass drive that targets 100 per cent vaccination of the district. The minister is the chairman of the District Review Committee for fighting COVID pandemic.
The minister also expressed that it is high time that all the government offices and institutions in hill areas be streamlined as irresponsible and unprofessional government employees have been defying their duties and have depended on hired substitutes. This trend has failed to serve the actual purpose of setting up such offices, thereby affecting the efficiency of administration and delivering services.
Letpao also urged the village chieftains of the remote areas of the state not to allow and agree on such ‘mutual arrangement’ of rendering services by ‘substitute’ employees, especially in schools and health centres.
Health and education are the most basic spheres of a society and should not be compromised, he said, and added that schools and PHCs/PHSCs should always work with full staff.
The minister also appealed, as always, the hill people not to resort to cultivation of poppy cultivation, and should find a viable alternative livelihood means. Many schemes of different departments, especially the Horticulture and Soil Conservation-related schemes are there, and he assured that he will ensure availing of such benefits to the farmers.
Later on, Shri Letpao Haokip, who is also the local MLA of the area toured and distributed rice bags to all the households of the village. The rice bags are procured by funds from the side of the local MLA combined with the sharing available under the PMKY scheme.
Chandel DC Rajkumar appealed to the villagers to get vaccinated and not to doubt its effectiveness, citing the personal experiences he had in his family regarding the COVID-19 and being vaccinated.
SDO L Herojit showed his gratitude to the minister for taking up all the odds and his genuine interest in fighting the pandemic and for his relentless efforts of convincing the villagers to get vaccinated.
Earlier on Saturday afternoon, Letpao also visited Joldam villages and urged the locals to get vaccinated. SDO Khengjoi and Dr Jamlal responded to queries and cleared the doubts of the villages regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
The mass vaccination drive of the Khengjoi sub-division is being carried out by four teams led by the SDO under the leadership of the DC, and will cover all the nook and corner of the sub-division over a span of eight days, the release added.