HAILAKANDI, March 26 - With a view to minimising contacts in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdown, the Hailakandi district administration has launched �Sahayata� for doorstep delivery of groceries with minimal delivery charges.
The doorstep delivery of groceries during the lockdown period is a joint initiative of the district administration and the Hailakandi Municipal Board.
The service will be available in all the 16 wards of the town.
Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli said, �The doorstep delivery of groceries during the lockdown period is yet another initiative to bring the administration closer to the people.�
�To keep crowds minimal and to promote healthy alternatives, we are launching Sahayata for doorstep delivery of groceries with minimal delivery charges. I request the denizens of the town to make use of this facility and stay indoors and be safe,� Jalli added.
The first customer to receive home delivery of groceries was Hailakandi Municipal Board chairperson Shamoli Roy. �People of the town must avail the home delivery service during the lockdown. They must avoid stepping out of their homes and maintain social distancing,� Roy said.
Members of Ekta, an NGO, engaged by the administration delivered the groceries at her home. Tridib Roy, circle officer cum executive officer, Hailakandi Municipal Board, was present at that time.
Markets and grocery shops remained open for a stipulated time to enable people to buy groceries and other essential items.
The administration has urged the people not to go in for panic buying as there is enough foodstuff to last for two months. It has warned of stringent action against the unscrupulous traders creating artificial scarcity and hiking the prices.
�Stringent action will be taken if anyone flouts the standing government as well as administration orders during the lockdown period,� said Superintendent of Police Pabindra Kumar Nath.
Door-to-door collection of garbage in residential areas and also in commercial places are being carried out by the Hailakandi Municipal Board. Sanitisation of vulnerable areas and market places are being done by the municipal board.
1,290 persons have been home quarantined, including 188 on Wednesday and 118 surveillance teams are in the field.
To safeguard the local media persons from coronavirus infection, the administration provided masks, gloves and hand sanitisers. District Information and Public Relations Officer cum District Nodal Officer (Coronavirus) Sabir Nishat distributed the protective items at his office on Thursday.
