No migrants issue in Punjab, Capt Amarinder assures Sonia during video CWC Meet

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday assured Congress President Sonia Gandhi that the state did not have a migrants issue in the light of the COVID-19 lockdown, as he had directed the industry to absorb all such labourers stranded in the state at this critical juncture.
          Captain Amarinder said extensive arrangements had been made by the state government to provide shelter and food to the migrant labourers, who could not leave the state in view the nationwide restrictions and sealing of borders.
          The issue was raised by the Congress President during a CWC meeting held through Video Conference to take stock of the situation and formulate a strategy for the party to play a strong role in this hour of crisis.
          Captain Amarinder said the State Government was taking all steps to address the issues arising out of movement of migrant labour back to UP and Bihar. The issue has been contained due to timely intervention and we are making all arrangements for their food and shelter, he added.
          In response to the concern expressed by Sonia on the arrangements for farmers in view of the onset of the harvesting season, the Chief Minister said all arrangements were being made to ensure smooth operations, with strict maintenance of social distance protocols in the Mandis. The state had also urged the central government to incentivise farmers to go in for staggered transportation of the grain to the Mandis and delayed procurement.
          Briefing Sonia about the current situation in Punjab, which has a large NRI population, the Chief Minister said the state had so far been able to contain the spread of the disease through intensive tracing and surveillance. The state government was also preparing to deal with the eventuality of the disease acquiring larger epidemic proportions by May or June, he told the meeting.
          Captain Amarinder said the State Department of Health & Family Welfare was in regular touch with the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and was adhering to all the protocols laid down by ICMR and the Ministry.
          Asked about the problems faced by the state, the Chief Minister told the CWC that it was not receiving its GST share from the Centre, which was causing serious financial problems. On its part, the state government had sanctioned Rs. 20 Crore to all districts to ensure food and shelter for homeless and underprivileged, among other measures taken to combat the crisis, he added.
          The Chief Minister lauded the role of the Punjab Police not just in enforcing curfew and maintaining law & order but also in the distribution of essential supplies, particularly food, among the poor and the needy. Dry rations were being given out daily wagers and unorganized labour, he added.