Govt’s claim of dip in cases wrong: Sukhbir

FARIDKOT : Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday said the Capt Amarinder Singh-led government’s claims about decline in Covid-19 cases in the state were did not reflect the real picture as the virus spread in rural area was going undetected.

Sukhbir, who inaugurated an air-conditioned 25-bed Covid centre set up by the Youth Akali Dal (YAD) in Faridkot, said the government needed to open such facilities in all blocks of the state to check the spread of the pandemic in rural areas.

Sukhbir also appealed to NGOS and social organisations to establish Covid centres, saying, “This is the need of the hour as people are hesitating to go to government hospitals because they lack basic facilities and patients are not well cared for there.” People were still confused as to whom to contact when infected with the virus and had no means to find out which government hospital had beds and oxygen facilities, he added.

“Instead of tending to covid patients and mitigating their sufferings, the ruling party is engaged in a bitter internal feud. Instead of rushing to the aid of Punjabis, the ministers and MLAS are rushing to Delhi on a daily basis to run down each other in the fight for the top post,” he said.

The SAD chief said gangsters have flourished in the state, especially in the Malwa region. “People are contacting me claiming that they are getting threats from gangsters. They are running extortion under the patronage of Congress leaders. I request the director general of police (DGP) to take action against them,” he added.

YAD president Parambans Singh Romana said running expenses of the centre would be borne by Sukhbir Badal in his personal capacity.