Help them get home

Notwithstanding the rumours which triggered the assemblage of thousands of homesick labourers from UP and Bihar at Mumbai and thereby tearing social distancing to shreds, the need of the hour is to realise the gravity and genuineness of their problem and facilitate them to reach home (‘Allow migration says Maha’, April 15). No doubt, the government and a number of NGOs are rendering yeoman service by feeding these hapless workers, but many of them are not on their radar. The increase in the lockdown period is increasing their restlessness. Fending on their meagre resources, most of them have been reduced to beggary. The task of making them reach their homes is undoubtedly arduous for the government, but is imperative and within the ambit of their democratic and human rights. Sanitised trains are the best mode of conveyance to dissipate restlessly surging crowds which pose potent threat to curb corona.

Deepak Kaushik, Radaur

API shortage

The pharma industry has come under essential commodities and is allowed to operate during the lockdown. The practical difficulty faced under the current scenario is that there is an acute shortage of APIs for the products in most demand. APIs like azithromycin, hydroxichloroquine, chloroquine phosphate and cefexime are either not available or available at a phenomenal price. Most of these products being under the DPCO, the manufacturing cost will come to be much higher than the MRP. Similarly, low cost ethyl alcohol is not available to the sanitiser industry. The government must step in immediately otherwise there is going to be an acute shortage of essential drugs. Merely allowing the industry to operate without providing necessary armoury is not going to lead us anywhere.

Yash Khetarpal, Panchkula

Economic hardships

Refer to ‘That sinking feeling’ (Nous Indica, April 11) and ‘Plight of labourers’; the invisible workers like carpenters, plumbers, electricians, cobblers and bhelpuri sellers are undergoing economic hardships, but there is no way expect to follow restrictions because health services and testing are not up to the level of the West. Revival is possible provided government functionaries show sensitivity. Labour is an important component of capital formation and its active cooperation is essential for the economy to move forward. The government has no alternative than to follow strict economic and administrative system, effective and efficient management of scarce resources, delivery methods and also persuade the people to adhere to prescribed norms in sensitive areas. The spread of the disease can be contained and the economy can be put on the right track, provided the people also play an active and positive role.

NIRMAL KUMAR, PANCHKULA

Threats not a good idea

The Punjab Government’s directions to all private practitioners (PPs) to continue providing health services is a welcome step, but the way in which these directions are being conveyed, like threats to cancel licence, is not desirable at this crucial time. Most PPs are already rendering services in different ways — on phone, video-conferencing, etc. Keeping this in view, the government must adopt a positive attitude and issue guidelines to them keeping in view certain important facts and advisories by experts in the field. The government must clarify certain facts: what about rendering services by doctors having a single-room clinic as it is impossible to maintain social distancing and other mandatory norms? What about doctors above 60 years and those suffering from medical complications like diabetes, heart ailments and respiratory diseases? According to experts, such doctors should avoid practice in these circumstances. The government must also clarify who will provide personal protection equipment, masks etc, to private doctors rendering their services.

SURINDER SINGLA, SANGRUR

Exit strategy

Refer to ‘Road map for revival’ (April 13); the Punjab Government should immediately earmark areas depending upon the severity of the spread of Covid and must learn from Kerala, where the spread of the disease is coming under control. Like the farm sector, other priority sectors like business organisations should be opened so that social tension can be reduced. Prepare an exit strategy by calling immediately an emergency session of the Vidhan Sabha and rework this year’s budgetary allocations from entertainment, sports and tourism to health and social security sector.

Harvinder Singh Chugh, Jalandhar

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