Congress Mahila slams Govt over sudden lockdown decision

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 5, 2021

The opposition Congress has slammed the state government for its sudden decision to impose a five-day lockdown in East Khasi Hills district.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Mahila Pradesh Congress President Joplyn Scott Shylla has questioned the rationale of imposing a lockdown at such a short notice without giving a day for daily wagers to prepare themselves.

“The administration should have deployed adequate manpower to check rampant hoarding and also sudden price rise which this MDA coalition has miserably failed. Ironically, none of the regional parties even the BJP have said anything on such important matters and it seems they aren’t taken into confidence or else they should have given their views,” she said.

She said that it was very distressing that without taking the wide ramifications of the sudden announcement of the lockdown the state government should have taken the Opposition into confidence before going ahead with the proposed lockdown.

According to her, the government has taken the decision without thinking about the rural community that is at a disadvantage unlike those living in and around the capital city. 

Shylla further stated that the Mahila Congress would like to know whether the state health minister, has even undertaken a Covid safety audit of all the CHCs and PHCs with regards to their manpower provision, equipment, emergency services and Covid testing centres?

“We stress that the health minister should not just talk of preventive measures but should also walk the talk by visiting some government managed CHCs and PHCs and even convert un-utilized existing infrastructure into Covid Isolation Centresand those run by NGOs under the PPP model,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Mahila Pradesh also questioned the NPP led-coalition government on the alleged disappearance of the Covid State Committee that was formed last year with a gigantic group is nowhere to be seen now.

“The government should have at least taken experienced members like Dr. Mukul Sangma,H.M.Shangpliang, George Lyngdoh, Marylborn Syiem,Dr.Ampareen lyngdoh and other Opposition members as a separate core committee but unfortunately the present dispensations shows its lack of seriousness and trust building measures,” she said.

The Mahila Congress however, appreciates the efforts and courage put in by the health staff and officers, sanitation staff, ambulance services of 108 and other health institutions, doctors, nurses, lab technicians and many others who are providing succor to the afflicted.