Covid curbs: Technology being used to keep tabs on weddings in Shimla
Subhash Rajta
Tribune News Service
Shimla, April 20
The wedding season is here, and it has set the alarm bells ringing in upper Shimla. Last year, weddings proved to be super-spreader events in upper Shimla, with people ignoring all Covid regulations. On Tuesday, the government capped the attendance in weddings at 50 to ensure that functions don’t add to the already surging Covid numbers.
To ensure the official concerned has actually gone to the event to survey, we are using apps like note cam, geo-tagging, etc. Besides, we will ask for a picture, too, of the event.— Saurabh Jassal, SDM , Theog
That’s a timely decision, but the compliance is tough. The administration at the local level is banking on the use of technology and the involvement of representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions to ensure that people abide by the number rules and other associated protocols. “We are leveraging technology to ensure weddings are conducted within the allowed norms,” said SDM, Theog, Saurabh Jassal. “We have already made flying squads comprising BDOs, tehsildars, police, revenue officials for the purpose. To ensure the official has gone to the event, we are using apps like note cam, geo-tagging, etc. It gives us longitude and latitude of the place that the officials have visited and the time too. Besides, we will ask for a picture, too, from the event to make it even more fool-proof,” said Jassal.
He added that there would be an element of surprise in these visits. “We will gather input about when most people are likely to be there at the event. So, our teams will accordingly plan their visit,” said Jassal.
Gurjeet Cheema, SDM, Kumarsain, is relying more on the cooperation and involvement of PRI representatives. Incidentally, Kumarsain was the first area to see a major spike in cases due to weddings last year. Within a couple of days, the count had gone from zero to over 70. “This time, we have had meetings with PRI representatives almost 20-25 days ahead of the wedding season to avoid a repeat of last year,” said Cheema. “We have involved them in a big way this time, given them the leadership role. In fact, all permissions for weddings are being routed through them.”
The administration will, of course, keep tabs but the local pradhans, ward members too will have to be on their toes. “Pardhans and ward members are invariably invited to all weddings in their area. So, making them a part of the mechanism will be quite effective,” said Cheema.
