At a time when the NDA government at the Centre appears to be at loggerheads with major opposition parties, including the Congress, over the issue of Covid-19 management, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has sought to evolve a consensus over stepping up the war against the pandemic in the state. Patnaik has taken some vital decisions on this front following consultation with opposition leaders. While he has decided to constitute a task force to look at immediate needs and to make plans to address future exigencies arising out of the corona pandemic, he has also authorized MLAs, whose cooperation he sought in the fight against the virus, to spend up to Rs 50 lakh from the MLALAD fund for Covid management-related activities.
Significantly, at the all-party meeting called by state assembly speaker SN Patro, the Chief Minister urged the MLAs to use their influence on people as their representatives to educate them about Covid-appropriate behaviour, which has become utterly important at this critical juncture. The Chief Minister’s approach is a lesson for top national leaders who, instead of displaying unity at this hour of crisis, are busy slinging mud at each another. Major opposition parties such as the Congress should realize that this is not the time for bickering and it is their duty to extend a helping hand to the government at the Centre which, on its part, should also accommodate the views of the opposition to the extent possible.
Among other significant decisions of the Naveen Patnaik government are the launch of a door-to-door campaign to identify people with Covid symptoms. In rural areas the drive, in all likelihood, will be carried out by grassroots-level health workers in collaboration with local sarpanches, who had played a key role in containing the pandemic even during its first wave. Currently, the focus is on the rural areas and rightly so because villagers could easily fall victim to the virus due to their ignorance and lack of facilities.
Government officials in tribal-dominated areas like Niyamgiri in Rayagada are struggling to get the consent of local people for corona tests. The prevalence of myths and superstitions among the tribals is making things difficult for officials. It is in these situations that people’s representatives, especially MLAs, can come to the aid of the government by persuading people to follow guidelines and get themselves tested for the virus. They can also ensure community involvement in the drive against the disease. This is the only way the state can fight this pandemic effectively. The Chief Minister could not be more right in seeking the cooperation of opposition leaders, as it is high time time for all to forget political differences and put up a united fight to win the battle against the virus.
Comment here