The Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) have assumed new roles as providers and facilitators for arranging door to door supply of essential items for people who are reeling under the impacts of COVID-19 and food and Ration for the needy peoples. Till date Urban Local Bodies has arranged food for approximately 21 Lac peoples, whereas ration is distributed to approximately 15 Lac peoples. Urban Local Bodies are also making arrangement for fodder for the cattle in the Gaushalas. In this regard ULBs have also been authorized to spend from the Municipal Fund.It was disclosed by Mr. Brahm Mohindra, Local Bodies Minister in a press statement released here today. He said that the department is leading from the front in this war against COVID-19. He said that apart from doing its routine duties, the workforce of the department deployed at the ground zero is engaged in wide- ranging activities to help the citizen of the state in this crisis situation. Divulging upon the activities of the department he said that the cleanliness drives at all public places such as streets, mohallas, markets, bazaars, schools, public toilets, parks, bus stands, railway stations, mandis and religious places are being done regularly.The Minister said that frequency of Door to Door Collection of waste, segregation of waste, Lifting of garbage has been increased in all the ULBs areas and not a single incident of accumulation of garbage heap has been reported from any corner of the state. “Apart from this, waste from the Quarantine Houses is also collected separately as bio-medical waste.” he added.
Mr. Brahm Mohindra said that vigorous Campaign to sanitize the urban areas, hospitals and public offices is still continuing.
He said that due to the sensitive nature of jails and in-lieu of procurement season sanitization of jails and mandis has also been carried out on regular basis.Local Bodies Minister said that the department is also ensuring the basic amenities like water supply, sewerage and maintenance of street lights on day to day basis. “Random water sampling to ensure quality of water is also conducted.” said Mr. Mohindra.He said that fogging and spraying of Larvicides in vulnerable areas to prevent the breading of mosquitos is regularly being done. He said that Urban Local Bodies has provided masks, gloves, shoes and other protective gears to its workers and it is ensured that they wear this protective gear while performing their duties and that social distancing norms are religiously followed.Mr. Brahm Mohindra further said that Urban Local Bodies in close coordination with the District Administration are involved in identification and quarantization of suspected cases of Corona Virus. Likewise employees of the Urban Local Bodies have also performed the daunting tasks of performance of last rites of the Victims of Corona Virus in such cases where even the families of the victims have abandoned their bodies,The Local Bodies Minister said that the Self Help Groups (SHG) formed by the department under NULM are doing excellent job and till date 60000 masks have been prepared and delivered to the ULBs. Further, to utilize their services and to create livelihood for them during lockdown, order of 2 Lac Masks have been given to these SHG.The Minister said that workforce of the department is also engaged in providing free food for people living in Shelter for Homeless under NULM. He said that due to the selfless and dedicated service of the employees of the Local Bodies, the people, NGOs and administration have recognized their services and felicitated them at number of places.