Arunachal Pradesh deputy chief minister Chowna Mein on Monday said that necessary directives would soon be issued from the planning department to enable the legislators of the state to utilize their local area development (MLALAD) funds for works related to the containment of Covid-19 pandemic.
Meinm who also holds the planning and finance portfolio said “the decision was taken following requests made by several MLAs to allow them to use the funds for the purpose.”
Meanwhile, the deputy chief minister who is presently in Namsai, on the day visited the quarantine facility set up at Parshuram Kund in Wakro circle along with MLAs Chau Zingnu Namchoom and Jummum Ete Deori.
During a briefing and discussion session, Mein advocated for sensitizing people on observing social distancing, compulsory wearing of face masks and importance on sanitization through information, education and communication (IEC) activities.
Mein opined that the economic activities in the state should not suffer due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
He advised the district administrations to device mechanisms at check gates for priority checking and hassle free movement of people, especially for medical purposes and other essential services.
For smooth return of stranded people, Mein said there is a need for orderly arrangement of registration, screening, testing and quarantine facilities in every entry point so that the returnees do not face difficulties due to mismanagement.
He further instructed the Namsai district administration to prepare a database of people from other parts of the state stranded within the district for their safe return in due course of time.
“It is also the need of the hour to extend the validity of inner line permits of non Arunachalees (whosoever’s permits have expired) are stranded in the state,” Mein said.