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SECOND WAVE MORE CHALLENGING, LESS TIME MORE WORK WAS REQUIRED, WE WORKED AS PER FEEDBACK FROM COMMON MASSES: ANSHUL GARG
Abha Gupta. Dated: 6/15/2021 11:08:38 AM
* 2ND WAVE MORE CHALLENGING
* MEDIA PLAYED GOOD ROLE
* CONSTRUCTION WORKERS VACCINATED ON PRIORITY
* DOOR TO DOOR VACCINATION MAINLY MEANT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND SPECIALLY ABLED PEOPLE
* POWER CRISIS DUE TO UNMETERED CONNECTIONS
* GOING DIGITAL IS THE NEED OF THE TIME
ER ABHA GUPTA/ POOJA THAKUR Q: It has been two years since the pandemic started, what were the major challenges? A: The second wave which started from the month of March 2021 was more fatal than the previous one. This time the infection rates were very high, if one member of a family was infected the entire family got infected so it was more challenging to handle the second wave rather than the first wave. People of Jammu had the resolution to overcome this problem moreover the community leaders, urban local bodies all were vigilant and created awareness among the masses. In lesser time more more work was required to be done. Creation of oxygenated beds was a big task in the second wave. Healthcare needed to be distributed door to door. Media also played a very good role in giving us feedback from the remote areas of the current situation in the areas and we were able to deliver the healthcare facilities in the remote areas as well. Q: Daily wagers have been badly affected due to the lockdown, what measures were taken to handle them? A: This time the industrial estates were fully functional, they were not closed even for a single day so they were getting their wages from their respective concerns. All the constructional workers have been given financial assistance. If we talk about Jammu 20,000 construction workers have been given financial aid of Rs 4 Crore. Under Pradhan Mantri Anna Yojana free ration is being distributed from the month of May. The benefits from the government schemes are being continuously disposed to the needy people during this pandemic. Construction workers have been categorised as high-risk workers and their vaccination is being done on the priority basis. Q: The rumours are that the third wave is about to come which will be more dangerous for the children, so what preparations have been done in advance? A: Nobody knows what is third wave or fourth wave so people should not panic on this. But yes preparedness is very important in every situation. Every person should contribute in Covid appropriate behaviour whether it is wearing a mask, whether it is maintaining social distancing or anything else. Since unlocking has started, the cases have also declined but caution has to be taken and there should be no negligence. Government is doing its job, DRDO hospitals have been set up, more and more oxygen plants are being installed to overcome any situation. Q: Common man is being penalised for breaking the SOPs but we see that many people or social organisations or political parties protest breaking all the SOPs, what you have to say on this? A: Any kind of violations are not acceptable, whether it is political, business, social, religious or anything else, guidelines are same for all. More than 25 people are not allowed to gather together. Those who break the guidelines are penalised. From the month of April till date Rs.47 lakh fine has been collected from people who have violated the SOPs. There should be voluntary compliance and not violations from our society. We have a 24*7 grievance registration mechanism to address the grievances of common masses. Q: You started the door to door vaccination drive, what response have you got from the people? A: Our aim is to vaccinate all the people above 45 years of age. The door to door vaccination was mainly meant for the people who are senior or handicap for whom it is difficult to reach the vaccination centres. What a great response from the people. Q: Power crisis has become a major issue in the current times when the heat is at its peak, what do you have to say on this? A: This is the major issue of demand and supply. In the current time when the heat is at its peak the demand is too high and the supply is not up to the mark. Many people are using unmetered connections , power department is trying its best to meter every household but that is not up to the mark. People do not carry out load revision on regular basis that is also a major issue in J&K. Q: Nowadays you have made it convenient for people to take out their certificates online, what feedback have you got on this? A: COVID has taught us one thing and that is how to go digital. With the help of NIC we have developed a software in which people can collect any kind of certificates which they need on the internet. In the current digital world we should use as much online services as we can. And it is sure that delivery will be time bound. In the end Anshul Garg gave a message to general masses “ We should not panic, remain aware of COVID, follow all the precautions, we have to make our family, our elders, our children safe and protected from coronavirus”.