CM addresses elected representatives of ULBs

Ensuring welfare and wellbeing of people is responsibility of elected representatives: CM

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur urged the elected representatives of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to remain in constant contact with the family members of the Covid-19 patients in home isolation in their respective areas so that they do not face any difficulty and also get proper medical counselling and treatment. He was virtually addressing the elected members of Urban Local Bodies regarding Covid-19 situation in the State from Shimla today.

Chief Minister said that the peoples’ participation in checking spread of pandemic and helping the people in distress that was visible last year was missing this time. He urged the elected representatives of Urban Local Bodies to come forward to help the needy at the time of distress. He said that steps must be taken to ensure that migrate labourers do not face any inconvenience and were motivated to stay back.

Jai Ram Thakur said that the representatives must come forward to motivate the people to get themselves vaccinated. He said that old people and those with disabilities must be helped to reach vaccination centres, so that they could be vaccinated. He said that the elected representatives must educate the people of their respective areas regarding any misconception about vaccination.   He said that the elected representatives must come forward to distribute face masks, hand sanitizers and food kits to the poor and needy. He said that the sanitary workers must be provided proper protection gears to ensure that they do not catch infection.

Chief Minister said that steps must be taken to keep a better vigil on industrial areas of the State so that the migrant labourers do not get infected. He said that regular sanitization must be carried out in the towns and municipalities and steps should be taken to ensure that not more than fifty people attend any social functions.  He said that the Health Department should provide information regarding covid-19 positive patients to the councilors so that they could contact the family members of the Covid-19 positive patients.  He said that the councilors at their own level also must keep an eye on any covid-19 patient in their areas.

Jai Ram Thakur said that it was the duty of any elected representative to ensure welfare and wellbeing of the people of his or her area. He said that the Corona pandemic this time was not only spreading at a faster pace, but was also more fatal. He said that number of cases and deaths during the last about two months have increased at a rapid pace. He said that as many as 250 deaths have been reported in last two months only. He said that the State Government has taken some stringent steps to check the spread of this virus. He said that the Government has imposed restrictions on visit of devotees to the major temple in the State and from today only Puja would be allowed in these temples. He said that Government has also announced that all the offices would remain close on Saturday and Sunday. He said that buses would ply with 50 per cent seat capacity and only 50 people have been permitted in all religious, social and other gatherings. He said that it becomes duty of the elected representatives to ensure effective implementation of the guidelines and SoPs laid down by the State Government from time to time.

Chief Minister said that the State would provide adequate logistic support to the Municipalities to fight this pandemic. He said that the State Government would provide IEC material to the Municipalities so that the same could be provided to the masses to educate them about steps to be taken to check spread of the virus and also regarding the vaccination. He said that the representatives of ULBs must provide Kada, Chawanprash, fruits and other essential commodities to the Covid-19 positive patients, which would not only help them, but would also instill confidence to effectively fight the virus.

Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said that the elected representatives of the ULBs could play a vital role in helping the people in home isolation. He said that community centres of Municipalities could be used as vaccination centres so that people could be facilitated to get vaccination. He said that effective IEC campaign must be launched to educate the people regarding steps to be taken to check spread of the virus and also regarding vaccination.

Principal Secretary Rajneesh while welcoming the Chief Minister in the video conference said that all the newly elected representatives of the Urban Local Bodies have joined the meeting virtually. He said that all these representatives have effectively and pro-actively worked to check spread of corona virus in their respective areas. He said that even registration portal was started to register the event slated to be held in the municipal limits so that the administration has knowledge about the events and proper SoPs could be followed.

Mayor Municipal Corporation Dharamshala Onkar Nahariya, Mayor Municipal Corporation Mandi Deepali, Mayor Municipal Corporation Solan Poonam, Mayor Shimla Municipal Corporation Shimla Satya Kaundal, Chairman Nagar Parishad Bilaspur Kamlender Kashyap, Chairperson Nagar Parishad Chamba Neelam Nayar, Chairman Nagar Parishad Hamirpur Manoj Kumar, Chairperson Nagar Parishad Una Pushpa, Chairperson Nagar Parishad Baddi Urmila, Chairman Nagar Parishad Kullu, Nagar Panchayat Bhuntar and Sundernagar said that the elected representatives were motivating the people to go for vaccination and help the people in distress.

Director Urban Development Abid Hussain Sadiq welcomed the Chief Minister and conducted the virtual meeting.

Additional Chief Secretary PWD J.C. Sharma was present on the occasion at Shimla whereas Mayors and Deputy Mayors of Municipal Corporations, Chairmen and Vice Chairmen and councilors of Nagar Parishad and Nagar Panchayats, CEO and Commissioners of the Municipal Corporation attended the meeting virtually.

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