COVID-19: Tripura to engage SHGs to distribute food among poor during lockdown

Tripura government on Wednesday asked urban local bodies to eng self-help groups (SHGs) in state for providing cooked food to homeless and poor persons during lockdown imposed to contain spre of coronavirus, an official said. state government directed authorities of 20 urban local bodies in state to set up kitchens for preparing cooked food like khichdi, official said.

"Any good area level federation of SHGs under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) may be deployed for cooking and making food packets. Distribution of food packets to urban poor twice daily may be done," according to an order issued by Urban Development Director Dr. Shailesh Kumar Yav.

Sanitizers and gloves will be provided to persons who will distribute food to poor people, order said. state food and civil supplies department was asked to arrange for rice and pulses for emergency food supply. Prime Minister Narendra Modi h on Tuesday anunced a complete lockdown across country for 21 days, asserting that social distancing is only way out for country in its decisive battle against coronavirus.

Though COVID-19 positive case has been detected in state so far, government has me elaborate arrangement to tackle crisis, official said. A total of 948 persons, who h eir coronavirus-like symptoms or recently returned to ir homes from abro, were quarantined or asked to remain in home isolation, he said.

West Tripura ditional SP Manik Lal Saha said several people were arrested for violating lockdown guidelines. Tripura Government Doctors' Association (TGDA) general secretary Rajesh Choudhury alleged that most of healthcare personnel have been working without personal protective equipment (PPE). However, health Sscretary Debashish Basu said sufficient quantities of masks, PPE, gloves and hand sanitizers are in store.