Delhi govt doubles pension, offers more ration

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Saturday said the novel Coronavirus was causing terrible financial stress to the poor and announced that those receiving ration from fair-price shops would get 50 per cent extra for next month.

During his first-ever digital-only press conference, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal doubled the pension for widows, differently-abled and elderly for this month.

Urging people to stay indoors, Kejriwal said the government had not imposed a lockdown in Delhi for now, but would have to do it if the need arises in the wake of Coronavirus pandemic.

"We are extremely concerned about daily wagers, labourers who have been hit hard over the coronavirus crisis; don't want anyone to go hungry," he said, adding that lunch and dinner would be provided for homeless in night shelters.

The Chief Minister said restrictions due to COVID-19 were causing terrible financial stress to the poor.

"Seventy-two lakh people in Delhi get ration from fair price shops. Ration per person is being increased by 50 per cent. It will be provided free," Kejriwal said.

The government has doubled the pension for widows, differently-abled and the elderly for this month, he said, adding that would benefit 8.5-lakh beneficiaries.

"The government has also reduced the size of social, religious and political gatherings to not more than five people," Kejriwal said. "It has not imposed a lockdown in Delhi for now, but will have to do it if the need arises."

Considering some people may have to travel due to an emergency, 50 per cent of the buses will ply on roads in Delhi during the 'Janata curfew' on Sunday, he said.

The Chief Minister urged the elderly to stay indoors, and skip morning and evening walks for time being as "they are most vulnerable group and need special care".

He announced that the goods and services tax would be waived to make it more affordable for those who needed to be quarantined and were opting for the paid hotel facility.

Delhi Food and Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain on Saturday said face masks, gloves, soaps and hand sanitisers, which have been declared essential commodities, can be sold at fair price shops across the national Capital.

A disinfection drive was launched in Azadpur Mandi, the biggest fruit and vegetable wholesale market of Delhi on Saturday

Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (Azadpur) chairman Adil Ahmad Khan said four teams have been constituted to disinfect the market spreading 83 acres and the drive will continue for the next few days.

Meanwhile, CISF in its internal circular has asked its personnel to abstain intake of alcoholic drink, avoid discussions regarding COVID-19 while on duty and practice Namaste or waving of hand among colleagues.

The circular accessed by Millennium Post revealed that the CISF personnel were asked to keep themselves updated and aware about hot spots of emerging cases for passengers coming and going from that location and deal them with extra caution. "Avoid spreading of rumours, avoid discussions regarding the Coronavirus subject while on duty. Follow trusted sources of information in this regard. Regular medical check-up of Canine squad should also be carried out," CISF told its personnel.

Hemendra Singh, CISF PRO, said they have made adequate deployment at IGIA to help passengers. "We are also taking proper precautions and ensuring that our personnel remain safe and healthy," he said, adding that they are ensuring cleanliness in accommodations of CISF personnel.

Meanwhile, Jamia Millia Islamia students on Saturday temporarily suspended their sit-in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The announcement was made by the Jamia Coordination Committee, a group comprising JMI students and alumni. The group was formed after alleged police brutality on the campus on December 15.

New Delhi Municipal Council on Saturday ordered all restaurants, bars, pubs, nightclubs, amusement parks, museums and beauty parlours to remain shut till March 31 as a precautionary measure in wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The New Delhi AIIMS has decided to temporarily suspend routine walk-in OPD registration of patients from March 23 as it redirects its resources to control the Covid-19 outbreak.

"It has been decided to temporarily close down routine walk-in OPD's patients' registrations including Specialty Clinics at AIIMS Hospital and all Centres from March 23 till further orders," an AIIMS official said.

The Noida-Greater Noida Metro will operate on curtailed timings on Monday and will not have any service between 10 am and 4 pm, officials said on Saturday.