25K Pak migrants await vaccination in absence of Aadhaar
JODHPUR: The Covid-19 vaccine is far-fetched for more than 25,000 Pakistani Hindu migrants residing in Rajasthan as they do not have Aadhaar cards. Nearly 90 percent of the Pakistani migrants reside in more than 24 slums in Jodhpur, but their medical screening, test sampling and treatment have not been managed so far, contrary to the government’s claim.
Recently, some of the Pakistani migrants tested positive for Covid-19, following which the medical and health department has issued an order to conduct a door-to-door survey in the 24 slums on May 5, but there has been no follow up on the ground.
According to the home department, 22,146 Pakistani migrants in Rajasthan are on long-term visas (LTVS). Seemant Lok Sangathan, which is fighting for the basic rights of Pakistani migrants, estimates that the number of Pakistani minority migrants (including LTV holders) residing in Rajasthan is more than 25,000. According to the medical department, about 17,180 Pakistani migrants reside in 24 slums in Jodhpur alone.
“Lack of Aadhaar card is the biggest obstacle in the vaccination of Pak migrants. No Pakistani
migrants have been able to get the health security of the vaccine. We have written a letter to the chief minister and have demanded that Pakistani passports, residential permits (RP) or long term visas (LTVS) be made the basis for vaccination of Pak migrants, so that a very large population can get health protection,” said Hindu Singh Sodha, president, Seemant Lok Sangathan.
“The highest number of Pakistani migrants reside in Jodhpur district. Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Barmer and other districts also have a relatively small number of migrants. The lack of the vaccine poses a risk of coronavirus infection not only to the Migrants’ family, but also to other citizens living around them,” he added.
“Guidelines have been sought from the state government for vaccination of Pak migrants. After the policy decision is taken at the government level, the requisite steps can be taken for vaccination of Pak migrants. The department has issued directions to in-charge of community health centres, primary health centres and urban primary health centers for door-to-door survey of migrants’ families living in various slums, identification of Covid infection, test sampling and treatment,” said Bal
Lack of Aadhaar card is the biggest obstacle in the vaccination of Pak migrants. No Pak migrants have been able to get the health security of the vaccine
want Manda, chief medical and health officer, Jodhpur.
In the absence of vaccination, Pakistani migrants are also deprived of safe employment. Many families are struggling with the food crisis. In the first wave of coronavirus, packets of food were delivered to such families in Jodhpur during a nationwide lockdown last year, but this time thousands of migrants are battling food shortages.
“Migrant community is already marginalized due to their retarded socio-economic conditions further being suffered by various legal restrictions they have been facing on ground while staying in India as migrants. In a strict lockdown imposed to control the second wave of coronavirus and economic strained situation has further made this group vulnerable and prone to be inflicted by poverty and resources scarcity conditions. The state government had prepared a proposal to issue special ration cards to provide ration materials to such families, but that has not yet been implemented,” Sodha said.
A Pakistani migrant, Hemji Kolhi, who came to Jodhpur from Mirpur Khas district in Pakistan in January 2015, currently has a temporary residence in Anganwa village. About 250 migrant families live here. He said no medical help has reached here in the Covid-19 outbreak.rising unemployment has led to a shortage of ration in many households, he added.
It is noteworthy that the state government had in February prepared a draft of ‘Special Citizen Foodgrain Scheme’ to provide ration cards and foodgrains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) to Pakistani migrants residing on LTVS, awaiting the central government’s approval.
According to the draft, 1107.3 quintal wheat is required monthly for migrants.
Meanwhile, BJP leader and former minister Vasudev Devnani has also written a letter to the Union home minister and the chief Minister demanding to ensure vaccination of Pak migrants.