Schemes to lift spirit of virus-hit public
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: July 08, 2021 -
WITH daily positivity rate showing no signs of declining and fatalities remaining disturbingly high, prompt implementation of the Chief Minister's Covid-19 Affected Livelihood Support Scheme, which the cabinet approved on Tuesday, needs to be prioritised as there is no way that the state would be returning to normalcy any sooner.
The amount might be incompatible compared to the present day cost of living when prices of every essential and household goods have skyrocketed, but the scheme's aim of providing direct transfer of Rs 5000 in two equal instalments of Rs 2500 each to every family whose livelihood have been directly affected by Covid-19 will be invaluable for many living below the poverty line.
As the pandemic continues to have serious impact on the commoners and their livelihood activities remain derailed for the past many months, the scheme will at-least ensure two square meals a day.
Regardless of the state's poor financial condition, launch of the scheme is indeed commendable as it showcases that the government is fully aware of the inconveniences besieging the people during the second wave of the pandemic which has been forcing shutdown of markets and affecting many other sectors that had been the sources of livelihood for a large section of the society.
That the virus has affected livelihood of a large percentage of the population could be comprehended from the scheme encompassing street vendors, farmers, daily wage workers, construction workers, public transport and school service providers, shop assistants, artisans, weavers, performing artistes, home-based business, etc.
It needs no reminding that these groups have been cursing the pandemic and hoping that the government would come to their rescue.
As implementation of the scheme will be under the ambit of the Social Welfare Department, it is imperative that the officials concerned swing into action and ensure that no deserving person is denied his/her entitlement as the efforts to contain the contagion will bear fruit when only the most affected section of the society could be ensured of their daily bread and butter.
Among others, the cabinet's nod to the Chief Ministergi Angangi Tengbang scheme is also worth appreciation as it is hard to imagine how the unfortunate kids would be tolerating loss of their parents and their long struggle ahead for survival as there would be many unscrupulous elements who would be already scheming to exploit the pitiable condition of the orphans.
While judicious implementation of these schemes, which are technically damage-control measures, will help lessen the impact from the virulent pandemic, the government must work out effective mechanisms to deal with the crisis situation for spike in the single daily positivity to 17.03 per cent on Tuesday and demise of 14 patients imply that the preventive and containment measures adopted so far have been inadequate.
If fresh cases and fatalities continue at this rate, then it is obvious that the government will have to make additional expenditures in trying to help lift the spirit of the pandemic affected families.
For an underdeveloped state like Manipur, continuous draining from the public exchequer will consequently impede the government's objective to accelerate development of infrastructure projects, which are most essential to leverage the state to the cherished goal of socio-economic prosperity.
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