Jobs for migrants to farm helpline: Civil servants offer ideas to tackle COVID
Around two weeks after forming the Civil Services Associations Reach to Support Natural Disasters (CARUNA) to support the government in its battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, civil servants have put forth their ideas, The Hindustan Times reported. These suggestions include incentives for Central government staff, temporary employment for migrant workers and rapid payments for farmers.
Agriculture sector
It has suggested the government to procure crops directly from farmers so that it would benefit both landowners and migrant agricultural workers. CARUNA has recommended the launch of a helpline for the sale of produces and other issues. It has also suggested a loan of up to ₹10 lakh to those procuring fruits and vegetables directly from farmers.
Critical care facilities
Amid the lack of critical care facilities, CARUNA has recommended the government to use shipping containers as intensive care units and encourage private firms producing low-cost ventilators. It has pointed out that companies like Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors have already been working on this.
For employees Â
Employees of Central government offices can work in rotational shifts and the number of workdays can be reduced, it has suggested. It has also proposed work from home and enhancement in life insurance cover for the employees, besides incentives.
Vulnerable communities
The nationwide lockdown has affected certain groups of people like migrant workers and fishers, CARUNA has said, suggesting the Centre to employ them in production of essentials. It has asked the Centre to provide training to stranded migrant workers in the manufacture of masks, transportation of medical supplies, etc.
Risk assessment
CARUNA has suggested the government to asses ‘risk radius’ to contain the further spread of the disease, by limiting public movement based on the population density of each state. For instance, the group has suggested a risk radius of 12.7 km for Himachal Pradesh on the basis of population density and number of confirmed cases.
Public contribution
Prime Minister Narendra Modi must appeal to the people who have savings of more than ₹5 lakh can contribute at least ₹10,000 to the PM CARES funds, it has suggested the Centre in its ideas for action to tackle the pandemic.
