Gujarat administration distributes nearly 8.95L food packets to needy citizens
Gandhinagar: During the nation-wide 21-day long ‘Lockdown’ announced as a precautionary measure to fight against the world wide pandemic of Coronavirus, under the exemplary leadership of Chief Minister Mr. Vijaybhai Rupani, the state administration has made unprecedented arrangements for smooth and sufficient supply of essential commodities and day-to-day needs and services to the citizens of Gujarat, Mr. Ashwini Kumar, Secretary to the Chief Minister, today told the media persons on the 6th day, today.
He further added that in coordination with the NGOs, the district level local governing bodies have ensured the supply of two times meals a day to every senior citizens living in isolation, homeless poor, and labourers. In this reference, nearly 895,000 food packets have been distributed, so far. Of them, 2.70 lakh food packets were distributed to needy individuals and families on Monday. Of them, 1.8 lakh food packets were distributed in eight municipal corporations of Gujarat.
Mr. Ashwini Kumar said that to provide uninterrupted and easy supply of essential commodities and day-to-day needs of the citizens, the local governing bodies have issued 1.59 lakh passes to the vendors, small traders, and workers working in supply-chain of essential services, so far.
Responding to the call given by Mr. Rupani to donate generously into the Chief Minister Relief Fund to fight against the Coronavirus, so far, Rs. 27-crore have been donated by individuals, religious institutions and NGOs, he further added.
Giving further information about the distribution and procurements of the essential commodities and day-to-day needs of the citizens, the Secretary to CM said that on Monday quota of 44.82 lakh litres of milk was distributed. At present, we have procured quota of 8100 metric tons of butter, 32,500 metric tons of milk-powder, 110 metric tons of paneer, and 375 metric tons of cheese.
Similarly, on Monday 107,000 quintal of vegetables, which included 21,895 quintal of potatoes, 25,472 quintal of onions, 10,678 quintal of tomatoes, and 49,176 quintal of other green vegetables, have arrived in the state, he said.
On Monday, 15,436 quintals of fresh fruits have arrived in Gujarat for the citizens who are observing fasting and ‘vrat’ on occasion of Chaitri Navratri festival. This included 780 quintals of apples, 562 quintals of bananas, and 14,093 quintals of other fruits such as grapes, watermelons, etc.
For providing quick help to the citizens in the present scenario, the Chief Minister has also commenced ‘Emergency Helpline’ number 1070 at State Level and number 1077 at District Level. These calls are mainly for medical facilities, medicines, milk, food-grains, grocery items and food items. The administration takes prompt, necessary actions in such cases Mr. Ashwini Kumar said and added that the state government is constantly monitoring these arrangements.