MPCC contended that the state government needs to strengthen in other areas apart from the curfew in order to curb the spread of the virus.
TFM Report
Congress on Saturday asserted that only curfew and lockdown would not be enough to curb the spread of coronavirus and urged the chief minister to strengthen the healthcare facilities of the state.
The Pandemic Management Sub Committee of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) briefed the media at Congress Bhawan, BT Road, Imphal on Saturday.
MPCC vice president Kh Devbrata asserted that the ten days total curfew from Sunday, on top of the ongoing restrictions, won’t be enough to curb the spread of the virus. The state government needs to introspect the testing system, he said and added that at the current positivity rate, the healthcare facilities might be overwhelmed.
Informing that there are 16 Community Health Centres, 72 Primary Health Centres and 420 Sub Centres in Manipur, he asserted that the state government should improve these 508 centres in terms of equipment and manpower and utilise them in treating COVID patients. He also suggested five 100 bedded COVID Sub Centres in each assembly constituency.
The MPCC vice president said that compared to Assam for the last 15 days, the rate of infections and deaths is far worse in Manipur, even though the number of tests being conducted is more in Assam.
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) Pandemic Management Sub Committee chairman Ratankumar urged the state government to provide life insurance or some sort of proper care for the ASHA workers and media persons who are performing their duties during the pandemic.
Ratankumar also urged the state government to implement the total curfew this time as it was not visible in many parts of the state during the previous ones.
MPCC general secretary (administration) Hareshwar Goswami said that CM Biren’s appeal the people not to come out during the ten days total curfew and rice would be delivered at the doorsteps, is misleading as it meant that the virus is being spread because of people coming out in search of rice. CM Biren should stop speaking from time to time, he added.
Contending that there are irregularities in rice distribution under National Food Security Act (NFSA) and Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY), Hareshwar demanded Investigation by a committee similar to the Manipur Assembly Parliamentary Standing Committee.
On the other hand, MPCC general secretary Punam Rani claimed that around 4,009 Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers are being utilised for COVID management and they are being paid just Rs 2,000 per month; that too not on time. They are not being provided with any protective equipment. MPCC takes this as a humiliation for these ASHA workers, she added.