CHANDIGARH: The Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh led Punjab Government has released Rs.150 crore for relief works in all the districts to fight battle against Corona virus.
This was disclosed by the finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal while reviewing the arrangements and preparedness of Bathinda district administration to contain the COVID-19.
Assuring every possible help in this difficult situation, Manpreet Badal said that the state government was fully committed for the safety of the people and all necessary measures were being taken to keep the spread of corona virus under check and the financial constraints would not be allowed in the relief works.
The Finance Minister further pointed out that the state has also released Rs. 50 crore for the purchase of medical and other necessary equipments. A Purchase Committee, headed by the Additional Chief Secretary, has been authorized to make all procurements related to COVID-19 disease and all equipments would reach in the districts within a week, he added.
Responding to a question, the Finance Minister said that the state government would provide full salaries to its employees despite the financial crisis due to the lockdown. Mr. Badal said that we are fighting a national war at this criticall juncture and advised everyone to refrain from taking political mileage on this issue.
Expressing satisfaction over the arrangements made by Bathinda Administration, the Minister said that 25, 000 people is being served cooked food every day in Bathinda. Dry ration has been distributed to 7900 people. Apart from this, 1000 families, who were given a one-week ration, are now being again given today for next week's dry ration.
Referring to wheat procurement arrangements in the state, Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal said that Cash Credit Limit of Rs. 22000 crore has been approved and all the arrangements has been made for the smooth procurement and farmers need not to worry about the procurement of their crop as state government was fully committed to puchase every grain of the wheat. He also asked the official to ensure strict compliance of health protocol including social distancing in grain markets.