Sikkim chief minister Prem Singh Golay chaired a high-level meeting of the State Task Force for coronavirus prevention at Samman Bhawan in Gangtok on Friday.
The meeting was convened to take stock of the preparedness of the State and to come up with immediate measures to provide relief to the people in the wake of the 21-day lock down throughout the country to contain COVID-19 pandemic.
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After a thorough deliberation, the chief minister announced the economic package to provide immediate relief to the economically weaker section of the population.
He announced that families having three or more members with a government job will be provided relief by the State Government in the form of 20 kg rice, five kg dal, five litres cooking oil, one kg salt, seven kg potatoes and two kg of onion.
Likewise, families having two or less members not with a government job will be provided with 10 kg rice, two kg of dal, two litres of cooking oil, one kg of oil, five kg of potatoes and two kg onion.
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The chief minister also announced daily wage of Rs 30 will be provided to the labourers working in all pharma companies functioning in the State throughout the period of the lockdown.
The State government has announced an one-time lump-sum monetary incentive of Rs 3000 for Sikkim Police personnel actively engaged in screening and maintaining law and order for the prevention of COVID-19, all workers under Health Department posted in hospitals and check posts and engaged in screening and prevention of COVID-19, all truck drivers under Transport Department engaged in emergency duty for transportation of essential commodities during the lockdown period and safai karamcharis under Urban Development Department on duty during the lockdown period.
The State Government has also decided to provide insurance to all these frontline warriors.
The government has permitted the State Bank of Sikkim to allow three-month moratorium on all loans.
The chief minister made an appeal to the people of Sikkim not to panic with regard to food supplies during the lockdown as the State Government has stocked ample food supply for the next two months.
In case of any requirement of food and essential commodities, people have been requested to approach their respective BDOs or other designated officials.
He also called for strict compliance of all the orders and circulars issued by the government in view of the 21-day lockdown and urged for cooperation from the public in order to successfully contain the local transmission of COVID-19 in the State.
He requested all to abide by the lockdown and stay home.
He reassured the people that the Government is fully prepared to tackle the situation.
He lauded the efforts being made by frontline workers who are risking their lives to ensure the safety of the people of Sikkim, and appealed to the people not to let their efforts go in vain.