Safety norms ignored at CM’s Kangra function

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, November 20

Two days after the Himachal Pradesh Government issued fresh guidelines to counter the surge in Covid cases, most of the safety precautions were thrown to the wind at Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur’s functions in Kangra district’s Nagrota Bagwan Assembly constituency today.

The revised protocol had capped at 100 the attendance at social gatherings, besides the prevailing norms of six feet distancing and wearing of mask.

Special protocol only for indoor activities, says Chief Minister

The special protocol (issued for CM’s Kangra functions) was meant for indoor meetings, not outdoor events. Jai Ram Thakur, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister

The government had yesterday come out with additional guidelines for the CM’s functions in Kangra. Masks were to be worn even while addressing meetings while exchange of documents and files had to be done digitally to minimise physical contact. Those approaching the CM were to be screened properly. The organisers, however, failed to strictly adhere to these measures.

None of the speakers, including Thakur, wore a mask while addressing the public. The minimum distancing norm was violated by not only the public, but even those seated on the dais next to the CM. Local leaders could be seen cluttered around the CM’s vehicle at various places and Nagrota Bagwan MLA Arun Kumar, who had organised the events, sat in Thakur’s car without a mask. Hundreds of people attended the function at Gandhi ground and could be seen either sitting or standing close to each other.

Kangra has been witnessing a surge in Covid cases over the past several days and has been reporting around 100 fresh infections daily. The Deputy Commissioner’s office too was sealed yesterday after 15 employees tested positive.