KMC takes precautionary steps to avoid gathering at its office

Kolkata: In wake of Coronavirus outbreak the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) authorities in a departure from the followed norms, to avoid a rush of people at its headquarters, will now only receive applications for birth and death certificates and later contact the applicant over SMS and notify them when to come and collect them.

Earlier applicants after submitting their applications waited on the KMC premises to collect the certificate on the same day of applying.

Hundreds of people come to the KMC headquarters daily either to get more copies of birth or death certificates, rectify the spellings or insert names of the babies etcetera.

Mayor Firhad Hakim said the civic authorities will receive the applications and the applicants will be asked to give their cell phone numbers. The Health wing of KMC will get in touch with them later through SMS and will request them to collect the certificates on specified dates and time. "This will reduce the gathering of people at KMC headquarters and 20 to 25 people will be asked to come to collect the certificates per day," said Hakim.

Atin Ghosh, deputy mayor in charge of KMC's Health department said the employees have been asked to wash their hands with sanitisers and maintain one feet distance from their colleagues.

The civic authorities have launched a massive campaign against COVID 19 in every ward. Posters carrying dos and don'ts have been put up in every area. Those suffering from fever, nausea, headache with respiratory distress have been requested to get in touch with the ward Health office. Ghosh said people should not panic but proper steps should be taken as precautionary measures.