IMPHAL, March 29 - To supervise the efforts to combat COVID-19 and ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities, the Manipur Government has appointed 10 ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh, as district in-charges.
Additional Chief Secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar, who is the Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister, issued an order to this effect.
As per the order, the Deputy Chief Minister would be the in-charge of Imphal West district where the State capital is located while Works and Power Minister Thongam Biswajit would be in charge of Imphal East district.
Similarly, Health & Family Welfare Minister L Jayentakumar will be in charge of Bishnupur district, Revenue Minister Karam Shyam of Jiribam district, Water Resource Minister Letpao Haokip of Chandel and Tengnoupal districts, Tribal Affairs & Hills Minister N Kayisii of Tamenglong and Noney districts, Public Health & Engineering Minister L Dikho of Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, Agriculture Minister V Hangkhalian of Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts, Social Welfare Minister Nemcha Kipgen of Kangpokpi and Senapati districts and Education Minister Th Radheshyam of Thoubal and Kakching districts.
Meanwhile, the district administrations in the valley have allowed people to purchase the essential items, particularly groceries and vegetables, by relaxing the curfew for few hours while some MLAs of both valley and hills distributed rice among the people during the curfew relaxation hours.
So far, one woman was tested positive for COVID-19 in Manipur while 1,84,375 persons were screened and 486 have been kept under surveillance.
In the meantime, the State Government has worked out a methodology to open grocery and other shops selling essential items, according to an office memorandum issued by Special Secretary (Home) H Gyan Prakash.
Under the new methodology, it has been decided that shops selling milk and dairy products, meat and fish, animal fodder will be allowed to keep open during the period when the shops selling grocery and other essential items are allowed to remain open.
Earlier, these shops were not allowed to open due to want of a stranded operating procedure. Meanwhile, the State-owned central dairy plant at Porompat has resumed production of �Chumthang�, the pasteurized milk fortified with vitamin A and D.
