COVID-19/FRONTLINE
Anganwadi workers in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun district get ready to deliver three months of dry ration to beneficiaries
shelters are swelling with people. “I have been asked to ensure hygiene and sanitation at two more night shelters, which have also been converted into shelter homes for the stranded migrant labourers. In my free time, I help the caretakers in serving food,” says Rahul, adding that he does not even get time to visit his residence.
Rahul is aware that some labourers might be infected. “We ask people to maintain a physical distance of at least 1 metre. But it is increasingly becoming difficult as the number of people eating at the shelters has been swelling since the chief minister made the announcement that anyone can take food from the shelters, he says, adding that the surgical mask he has been provided with does not last beyond a few hours. However, he cannot lose the job in the fear of the virus. “After all, it gives me a steady income of `7,000 a month.”
Ramesh Kumar Sharma, 63, who is responsible for the upkeep of 13 night shelters on behalf of non-profit Prayas, says, “We are doing our duty. But at the same time, we are playing the game of life and death. The government has said onethird of the migrant labourers could be infected with coronavirus. We are not sure for how long we can evade it.”
He rues that while the government has announced special provisions like threemonth advance salary and term insurance of `50 lakh to its frontline workers, no one seems to have thought about workers like him and Rahul who are playing a vital role in keeping the country moving.
As per the Constitution of India, gram panchayats are mandated to function as “institutions of selfgovernment” and deliver certain basic services to the citizens in their respective areas. Second, as per provisions of the National Policy on
Disaster Management, 2009, each panchayat is a “local authority” for preparing disaster management plans. So, they need to assist (and most of them are assisting) residents to stop the spread of coronavirus. The third role is through ward members, volunteers, self-help groups, ASHAs and anganwadi workers, they can generate awareness; set up quarantine centres; make arrangements for food; deploy mechanics to ensure regular water supply; and even use discretionary funds to make emergency arrangements. They need to maintain overall surveillance in the area and keep liaison with the administrations to discharge their duties.