The Meghalaya government has withdrawn free food provided to COVID-19 patients at Covid care as the government has no fund to continue with the service.
The East Khasi Hills district administration on Monday notified that food at corona care centres would henceforth be chargeable.
Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo notified that a patient admitted in one of the corona care centres (CCC) would be charged Rs 380 per day.
“For persons testing positive and admitted to CCCs in East Khasi Hills district, food will henceforth be provided on payment basis at the rate of Rs 380 per day,” the notification read.
The CCCs in the State Capital are the Indian Institute of Management building, Umsawli, Moreau Institute of Integral Training, TB Hospital, Umsawli, Meghalaya Administrative Training Institute and National Institute of Fashion Technology, Mawdiangdiang.
Laloo said that the food price at these centres was fixed by the Covid Response Task Force.
However, a patient belonging to the below poverty line (BPL) category would not be charged for the food or the tests.
“Such persons will have to furnish Yellow (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) or Pink (Priority Household) National Food Security Act,” Laloo said.
However, the district administration has also left an option for home food.
She added that patients wishing to consume home food at the CCCs can do so by delegating a family member to deliver the food.
However, the option must be indicated at the time of admission.
“Each corona care centre will have designated staff to coordinate between the persons admitted, family members and the catering partner in case of any issues regarding this arrangement,” the notification added.
Other consumables like toiletries will also be charged at the CCCs, but again an admitted patient has the option to bring their own “toiletries, essentials” at the time of admission or dropped by a family member.