Only 610 cases in 112 aspirational districts, says govt’s empowered panel on Covid-19
› Empowered Group 6 has mobilised over 92,000 NGOs and CSOs, appealing to them to assist state governments.
AMITABH KANT, Niti Aayog chief
NEW DELHI: Niti Aayog chief Amitabh Kant, who is heading an empowered group to strengthen India’s response to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), said on Monday the government mobilised about 92,000 NGOs and civil society organisations across the country to tackle the crisis, even as the panel’s progress report said the exodus of migrants was an area of concern.
Kant presented the progress report of the sixth empowered group, constituted to engage nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and other industry and international bodies, at the daily news briefing and said that these groups were working closely with district administrations.
The Centre has formed 11 empowered groups comprising senior civil servants to deal with the Covid-19 outbreak.
Group 6 has mobilised over 92,000 NGOs and CSOs, appealing to them to assist state governments and district administrations in identifying hot spots and delivering essential services to the vulnerable, including the homeless, daily wagers and migrant workers,” the Niti Aayog CEO said.
Kant also said that 610 Covid-19 cases were so far reported from 112 most backward districts, which are termed as “aspirational districts” by the government. “So far, in those 112 districts, only 610 cases have been reported, which is 2% of the national infections... Of these, six districts have reported the first case after April 21,” he added.
The panel’s progress report said: “Major hot spots are Baramulla (62 cases), Nuh (57), Ranchi (55), YSR (55), Kupwara (47) and Jaisalmer (34) it added.”
On a question about the state of the economy, the Niti Aayog CEO said that economic activity began picking up in the third phase of the lockdown, which has seen considerable relaxations.
The empowered group previously asked all chief secretaries to appoint state-level nodal officers to coordinate with all NGOs. “The NGOs were also urged to lift and distribute rice and wheat from the Food Corporation of India’s godowns at the subsidised rate of ₹21-22 per kg so that no one remains hungry,” Kant said.
The sixth empowered group is monitoring and coordinating with NGOs and civil society organisations across 700 districts. The Niti Aayog has taken steps to ensure that these districts are able to contain the spread of the virus and has actively referred the requirements in testing kits, personal protective equipment and masks to the empowered groups, the progress report said.
The group also engaged organisations such as the Red Cross Society, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Tata Trusts and Piramal Foundation. The group has involved the organisations in identifying hot spots and deputing volunteers; delivering essential services to the vulnerable
The report added: “A primary area of concern in these times is the mass exodus of migrant labourers from urban hubs of work to their villages. NGOs are coordinating efforts and working closely with the district administrations and states so that measures of care, quarantine, and treatment go hand in hand.”