Home Ministry forms 5 more IMCT teams to augment states' efforts to fight COVID-19

Ministry of Home Affairs, on Friday, constituted five Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) for increasing surveillance across country. se teams will be making an on-spot assessment of situation and will issue necessary directions to State Authorities for its redressal and submit ir report to Central Government in larger interest of general public.

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Five more IMTC teams introduced

Of five teams, two are for Gujarat and one each for Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. se teams would make on-spot assessment of situation and issue necessary directions to State Authorities for its redressal and submit ir report to Central Government in larger interest of general public," read a release from Ministry of Home Affairs.

It furr stated, " situation is especially serious in major hotspot districts or emerging hotspots like Ahmedabad and Surat (Gujarat); Thane (Maharashtra); Hyderabad (Telangana); and Chennai (Tamil Nadu). se teams would use expertise of Centre and augment State efforts to fight and contain spread of COVID-19 effectively."

se teams will be focussing on a range of issues including compliance and implementation of lockdown measures as per guidelines issued under Disaster Manment Act 2005; supply of essential commodities; social distancing in movement of people outside ir homes; preparedness of health infrastructure, hospital facilities and sample statistics in District; safety of health professionals, availability of test kits, PPEs, masks and or safety equipment; and conditions of relief camps for labour and poor people.

READ: 'Increase COVID-19 Tests To 2500-5000 Per Day': IMCT Issues Directives To West Bengal Govt

increase in IMCT comes four days after first set of eight teams were formed in order to assess lockdown measures and understand situation on ground.

se teams have been backed by Supreme Court to carry out ir duty and apex court has also asked all state governemnts to comply with teams. MHA press release read that SC, "In an Order dated 31.03.2020 has observed that all concerned State Governments, Public Authorities and Citizens of this country would faithfully comply with directives and orders issued by Union of India in letter and spirit in interest of public safety. This observation, which must be treated as directions of Apex Court, has also been conveyed to all States/ UTs Governments."

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READ: Centre Forms 8 Teams; Warns States On Lockdown Violations & attacks On Anti-Covid Workers