ITANAGAR, Jun 16: The All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) has sought a clarification from the state government as to why there is a shortage of fund to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic in Arunachal.
In a memorandum it submitted to the chief minister on Tuesday, the union said the capital complex DC recently issued an order to discontinue food and lodging for the police personnel stationed at various paid quarantine centres, citing fund shortage.
“We feel so disappointed and shocked to learn that the capital DC issued an order on 12 June to discontinue food and lodging for police personnel engaged in various paid quarantine centres, stating
shortage of fund,” the union said, and expressed strong resentment over the state government’s “careless” attitude towards those on the frontline of the fight against Covid-19.
The union demanded that the state government allocate more funds, issue personal protective equipment, and provide proper food and lodging facilities for the frontline Covid-19 workers in the entire state.
The ANSU also said that the food being served at the quarantine centres are of “low quality.”
“The entire state is going through serious pandemic trauma of Covid-19, and at this hour we resolutely stand behind the state government, particularly the frontline workers who have been engaged in Covid-19 duties. Many social organizations and citizens of the state have also unconditionally contributed in cash or kind to fight the pandemic. But regretfully we are witnessing many loopholes in your government’s preparedness to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in our state even at the initial stage,” the memorandum read.
The union also alleged procurement of low-quality PPE kits and unavailability of facemasks, sanitizers, gloves and thermal scanners for the frontline workers.
