COVID-19 crisis: Chhattisgarh govt will provide free ration to poor for two months, says CM Bhupesh Baghel

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic gripping the country and subsequent lockdown, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has assured that no poor will sleep on an empty stomach in his state.

Addressing media through a video-conference, the Chhattisgarh CM said that 56 lakhs families who live below the poverty line in the state will be provided free ration for the next two months.

Highlighting the measures taken by his government to help poor during the lockdown, Baghel said, “There are 65 lakh ration-card holders in the state, of which 56 lakh families live below the poverty line. We have decided to provide free ration to them for two months. We have provided 70 kg for two months. As per the latest data 40 lakh families have collected their rations”.

“Besides, state government gave two quintals rice to every panchayat to distribute them between non-ration card holder families,” said Baghel.

Saying that similar steps have been taken to feed workforce living in the cities, Baghel said that following the direction of the state government, industrialists have arranged rations and lodging facilities for 39 lakh workers.

Asserting that apart from government machinery, the Congress government in the state has incorporated NGOs, member of civil society, trusts and people’s organisations in the fight against COVID-19, Baghel said Chhattisgarh took quick decisions and acted fast to contain the spread of the virus.

He informed media that 76,000 people in Chhattisgarh have been put in home quarantine.

“Chhattisgarh reported first COVID-19 positive case on March 18. Immediately after that the government decided to impose section 144 in all over the state and three days later on March 21, we announced complete lockdown”.

It may be recalled here that the Central government has first announced Janta curfew on March 22 and three days later announced nationwide lockdown on March 24.

As per the data issued by the ministry of health and family welfare, as of April 9 India reported more than 5000 COVID-19 positive cases, of which 10 were in Chhattisgarh.