RDPR Minister distributes face masks, hand sanitizers to MGNREGS workers
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 09 2020:
To help MGNREGS workers stay safe from COVID-19, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Thongam Biswajit has started distributing face masks and hand sanitizers today at Ibudhou Wangbarel Haraobung at Akampat.
Speaking at the occasion, Th Biswajit said that face masks and hand sanitizers have already become common household items but the said items were distributed by the Department in line with the Union Ministry's order to ensure safety of all job card holders in Manipur.
The said items, prepared by Village Level Federations (VHFs) have been procured under the admin fund of MGNREGS with due' approval from the Union Ministry and no fund from the State Government has been utilised in purchasing, he said.
As per the advisories issued, the Ministry allowed VLFs to prepare face masks, hand sanitizer and PPEs and at the same time allowed them to supply meals at Community Quarantine Centres, he added.
He also expressed regret over the work of some derailing the work of these VLFs (or Self help Groups) by involving Vigilance Department based on a few defective or deformed samples that too by a person from the Thongju Assembly Constituency.
He however expressed happiness over the rising number of man days of MGNREGS in the recent years and assured to approach the Ministry to add up more days in the coming days.
He also appealed to all Pradhan and Ward Members to maintain a healthy relationship with the job card holders and communicate with them regularly to address their grievances.
The Minister went on to state that he had come across some irregularities among job card holders while undertaking work and appealed to all to work collectively at the same time and in the right way.
While expressing concern over the fewer number of VLFs in Thongju Assembly Constituency, the Minister also highlighted the role of VLFs and the benefits they can get from the Central Government.
He also encouraged all concerned under Gram Panchayats in Thongju AC to take advantage of it.
The distribution programme was also attended by BDO of Kshetrigao, Wangkheimayum Nando; Deputy Secretary of RD&PR, Lalrobul Fimate and vice president of Ibudhou Wangbarel Khana-Chaoba Committee, Ch Romen among others.