Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur held video conferencing with all the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of the State from Shimla today to take stock of the situation in wake of curfew in the State due to outbreak of Corona epidemic in the country as well as the State. He directed the officers that it should be ensured that there was no inconvenience to the people and sufficient essential commodities were made available to them during the relaxation of curfew. He said that home delivery system should further be strengthened as it would discourage the people to come out for getting essential commodities. He said that no laxity should be permitted in curfew.Chief Minister asked all the DCs to ensure that banks are opened so that people do not face in difficulty in getting money from them. He said that curfew passes must be given to bankers so that it would not come in the way of their day to day activities and they can continue doing their banking works even after regular banking hours during the relaxation in curfew. He said that this would facilitate the banks in making payments to their customers. He said that adequate currency notes must be ensured in their ATMs so that people do not face any inconvenience. He also asked the district administration to ensure social distancing in the banks and ATMs. He said that curfew passes should be provided to banking correspondents so that they could provide various banking services to people at their door steps.
Jai Ram Thakur also asked the Deputy Commissioners that it should be ensured that essential commodities are also made available to nomad Gaddi and Gujjars who were with their herds in various parts of the State.Chief Minister said that as many as 3750 people were kept under surveillance in the State so far, out of which 1371 people had completed 28 days of surveillance period. He said that investigations of 17 persons for COVID-19 had been done today and all were found negative. He said that 245 persons had so far been investigated in the State for corona virus.Jai Ram Thakur said that special vigil should be kept on those people who had come to State after attending any function in Neejamudeen at New Delhi during the last one month.Chief Secretary Anil Kumar Khachi apprised the Chief Minister regarding various steps taken to ensure sufficient availability of essential commodities in the State.Director General of Police S.R. Mardi asked the Police personnel to keep strict vigil on persons who had come to State after attending any religious congregations from outside the State.Additional Chief Secretary Health R.D. Dhiman said that all the health institutions were open in the State and medical and para- medical staff had been asked to not proceed on leave. He said that private hospitals had also been asked to remain open during this period.Principal Secretary Transport J.C. Sharma felt the need of smooth plying of trucks carrying essential commodities so that supply chain of these commodities could be maintained. Political Advisor to Chief Minister Trilok Jamwal, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Manoj Kumar, Principal Secretary Revenue Onkar Sharma, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Sanjay Kundu, and other senior officers attended the meeting.