Gangtok, March 27: (IPR) Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) chaired a high-level meeting of the State Task Force for Covid-19 prevention here at Samman Bhawan today. 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.

After thorough deliberation, Chief Minister Shri P.S Tamang announced the following economic package to provide immediate relief to the economically weaker section of the Sikkimese population:

1. Three or more-member families whose members are not entitled to a government job will be provided relief by the State government in the form of

- Rice: 20 kg
- Dal: 5 kg
- Cooking Oil: 5L
- Salt: 1 kg
- Potato: 7 kg
- Onion: 2 kg

2. Similarly, for two or less-member families whose members are not entitled to a government job will be provided with

- Rice: 10 kg
- Dal: 2 kg
- Cooking Oil: 2L
- Salt: 1 kg
- Potato: 5 kg
- Onion: 2 kg

3. Daily wage of Rs. 300/- will be provided to the labourers working in all Pharma Companies functioning in the State throughout the period of the lockdown.

4. The State government has announced a 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 lock-down period

- Safai karamcharis under Urban Development Department/ GMC on duty during the lock-down period.

5. The State government has also decided to provide insurance to all these frontline warriors.

6. Further, the State 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 contact their respective BDOs or other designated officials.

The Chief Minister 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