About 38,000 relief camps set across India: GoI to Supreme Court

NEW DELHI:  Government of India today (27^th April) informed the Supreme Court in a fresh status report about the measures taken to fight the COVID-19. Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Union Home Secretary, informed that the SC Center has set up 37,978 relief camps combined in all the states and union territories that are occupied by 14.3 lakh people as mentioned in an affidavit filed earlier on April 12. In addition to the shelter homes, 26,225 food camps have also been set up which are distributing food to nearly 1.34 crore people daily. The government also informed that employers have given nearly 16.5 lakh migrant workers shelter. The government has also issued directions under the Disaster Management Act 2005 that every employer is to pay wages to their employees at the due date without the closure due to the lockdown. Along with this, the district authorities have been instructed to make sure that migrant workers who live on rent must not be forced to pay up by the landlords. Any landlord flouting this order will be liable for action under the Disaster Management Act. The government also highlighted that, in order to maintain supply of essentials, the Indian Railways are continuously running their freight operations. The railways have moved 6.11 lakh wagons from March 24 till April 9. They have also distributed 10.1 lakh free meals. The government also informed that the Ministry of Civil Aviation has operated a total of 180 flights to transport 258 tonnes of medical cargo till April 12.

The government said that to ensure food production is not affected, harvesting has been allowed to continue uninterrupted. Indian Council for Agriculture has issued an advisory to farmers for harvesting of Rabi crop and sowing of summer crop. Department of Chemicals and Fertilizers is making all efforts to ensure adequate supply of fertilisers for the kharif season, it said.