RANA KP SEEKS MONETARY RELIEF AND HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE FOR PUNJAB TO FIGHT COVID-19

Chandigarh: Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Rana KP Singh on Tuesday sought monetary relief and required health infrastructure including test kits for the state to fight against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. He raised the demand during a video conference of the Presiding Officers of All India Legislative Bodies.
 
Apprising about the situation in the state, Rana KP Singh appreciated the initiative of Lok Sabha Speaker Mr. Om Birla for listening their views. He also urged the Lok Sabha Speaker to impress upon Central Government to provide extra financial support and health infrastructural help to the State of Punjab particularly to win the battle against the pandemic.
 
Rana KP Singh assured all his counterparts that all migrants, who got stranded in the state due to lockdown, are safe and Punjab Government is taking good care of them and all arrangements have been made for their screening and safe stay.
 
Stressing on the need of long term policy for monetary support to the states in this distressed situation, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker pointed out that Central Government has not provided any special financial help to Punjab particularly to fight against the Coronavirus. He further said that only ten thousand test kits have been provided to the state against the requirement of one lac test kits.
 
He also raised the issue of safe transit of Punjabi pilgrims stuck in Maharashtra, who had gone to pay their obeisance at Takht Hazur Sahib (Nanded Sahib) .
 
During the discussion, it has been decided that a control room in each Legislative Body to be set up to coordinate with each other for any kind of help regarding COVID-19 including safety of students/people stranded in other states due to lockdown/curfew. Similar control room will also be set up in Lok Sabha (Parliament) to coordinate with state assembly control rooms. Mr. Om Birla also asked all states to download Aarogya Setu app saying it is a fantastic use of technology to combat coronavirus.
 
Rana KP Singh also apprised of contribution of Members and Staff of Punjab Legislative Assembly towards the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to help the state fight COVID-19. Discussions were also held as to how state legislatures are working in this situation and how MLAs are contributing and helping in relief works in collaboration with the State Executive.