NGO distributes masks in rural areas

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 8

In this time of crisis due to the coronavirus in the country, NGOs have been playing a vital role in serving society by distributing ration and other essential items among the needy. Doing its bit, Nashian Virudh Lok Jagriti Sansthan, an NGO, has been providing free masks to people living in rural areas.

Navtej Singh, president of the NGO, said they had been preparing masks at home and distributing these among people in his native village and adjoining areas.

“Now, people and sarpanchs of nearby villages have been asking us to provide masks. Till date, we have distributed 500 masks among people,” he said.

The NGO is also spearheading a campaign against the rampant drug abuse in the rural belt of the holy city. It motivated many addicts to shun drugs. Moreover, it had taken them to Swami Vivakand De Addition Centre at Government Medical College for treatment.

Nevtej said it was an urgent need that people from across society should come forward in this fight against the pandemic. They could contribute to this fight by staying indoors and taking precautions suggested by the government and the Health Department. He added that many NGOs were already helping the needy by providing ration and other essential items.

“People have been complaining of a shortage of masks. Medical stores have failed to meet the shortage. Therefore, we decided to procure cloth and made masks. People have appreciated it,” he added.

Amritsar: The MC has suspended its two employees for not attending coronavirus emergency duty in the city. According to information, both women employees not attended the office even after they were called by the officials.

One of the suspended employees is working as clerk while another is sanitation worker, a MC official said. Employees of the Health Wing of the MC have been working hard to prevent the spread of virus. Field workers are working around the clock. The health officials claimed that these two employees were neither attending the office nor responding to the phone calls. — TNS