It is high time to maintain the discipline of social distancing.
SHIKARPUR: Both the Centre and the Sindh government are busy providing ration bags to the poor and needy families in light of the PM’s clarion call made to the nation. The distribution of ration as well as Rs12,000 cash handout under the Ehsaas program is in its full swing across the country.
While the initiative is commendable, the distribution mechanism lacks discipline and can further cause the spread of Covid-19 amongst the population. The overcrowding of people at distribution centers has suddenly become a matter of grave concern. It is ironic to see how quickly the prevention system has turned into a threat itself. There is no need to panic, however. This problem can easily be addressed if the relevant authorities create teams that distribute these packages door to door. This will prevent the poor people from coming to these centers and creating a mass gathering. Transparency is badly needed in the distribution process otherwise the whole exercise will bear no fruit. The queues outside these centers need to be spaced appropriately so that there is least physical contact.
The government must make all the necessary arrangements to make sure the disbursement of the announced amount takes place in an organised and disciplinary manner keeping in view the gravity of the situation so that no untoward incident may take place. It is high time to maintain the discipline of social distancing.
Azhar Azad Mughal
Published in The Express Tribune, April 12th, 2020.
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