Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : A meeting of the Empowered Groups of Officers to tackle the challenges emerging as a result of spread of COVID-19 was held on April 10, 2020, under the Chairmanship of Principal Secretary to Prime Minister. The meeting was the latest in a series of periodic reviews at various levels by the Prime Minister’s Office to monitor the ongoing efforts to counter the impact of the pandemic.
The Principal Secretary reviewed the efforts undertaken by the Empowered Groups. The issues related to supply chain and logistics management for availability of necessary items, efforts undertaken for the benefit of stakeholders involved, steps to assist farmers harvest their produce while maintaining social distancing, further confidence building measures necessary and need to ensure percolation of guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs to the ground level were discussed. The meeting reviewed and expressed satisfaction on the detailed testing protocol and procedure under which (as on date) 1,45,916 samples have been tested, according to a PIB release.
It was informed that all Chief Secretaries of States were issued instructions to arrange for shelter for the vulnerable groups like migrants and homeless. Also, the Centre is in constant touch with States and District level monitoring is being undertaken. The production of PPEs is being ramped up and capacity building for healthcare personnel is being ensured. NGOs and Civil Society groups are also being mobilised. The Principal Secretary suggested that coordination with NGOs at district level be done to avoid overlaps and ensure efficacious utilisation of resources.
The progress of rollout of welfare measures through the economic relief package under PM Garib Kalyan Yojana was also reviewed. Principal Secretary underlined that data sanctity was important to ensure that the benefits reach all the intended beneficiaries. Steps taken for timely information dissemination across the country were discussed and ensuring last mile outreach through communication in regional languages was emphasised. On the technology and data management front, while expressing satisfaction on the rollout of Aarogya Setu app, it was felt that the user engagement with the app needs to be enhanced. The meeting was attended by senior officials of Prime Minister’s Office and other Ministries under the Government of India.