Punjab chief minister (CM) Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday again ruled out a complete lockdown, noting that the restrictions currently in place were more stringent than the lockdown conditions in many other states. He announced a series of relaxations and relief measures to alleviate the woes of people.
Amid spiralling Covid cases, the CM ordered limiting of the number of teachers in government schools to 50%, with the rest taking online classes from home.
He also directed the Food Department to prepare 5 lakh additional food packets for distribution among Covid patients. The state government has also announced additional 10 kg atta for 1.41 crore Smart Ration Card beneficiaries. The food aid is in addition to the 1 lakh food kits, containing 10 Kg Atta, 2 Kg Chana and 2 Kg sugar already sanctioned for all poor people testing Covid positive. It
The CM compared the Punjab restrictions with the curbs in place in states like Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala, among others, and pointed out that it was not necessary to impose a total lockdown.
He said to meet immediate and urgent needs of the people at the local level, it had been decided by the government to authorise Sarpanches to spend up to Rs 5,000 per day, subject to a maximum of Rs 50,000, out of the Panchayat Funds for providing emergency relief by way of food and medicines to the poor and needy in the villages.
All urban local bodies have also been empowered to provide emergency relief, including food and medicines to the poor and needy, from the Municipal Fund.
For the Housing sector, apart from the permission extension, the CM has directed all Urban Development Authorities not to charge non-construction charges/extension fee/license renewal fee for the period 1st April – 31st July 2021. Further, Urban Development Authorities have been asked to waive the interest to be charged on any delayed Instalment, which was otherwise due between April 1–July 31, 2021, provided that it is paid in equated monthly instalments after August 1, 2021.
Taking note of the resentment among shopkeepers over selective closure of shops, the CM asked district administration officials to work out the phased shop reopening plan for their respective districts. Earlier, several cabinet ministers raised the issue of the resentment over selective closure of shops.
