Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Monday said that there has been mounting pressure on State Government to start different modes of transportations. The resumption of inter-State bus services, train services and domestic flight services would add many unforeseen challenges for the State Government in Covid-19 lockdown 4.0. The number of Covid-19 cases would increase swiftly after movement of passengers from red zone to green and orange zones, he added.
The Home Minister said that the fight against Covid-19 has to be more focused now to reduce spread in lockdown 4.0. The situation of corona in the State is largely under control. But about 70-80 percent of the cases in Haryana are from four districts adjoining Delhi. As cases are increasing so there is no chance of opening borders with Delhi, he added.
In an exclusive interview with The Pioneer over the phone, Vij shares his views about the challenges before the State Government during ongoing nationwide lockdown 4.0 and steps being taken to contain spread of Covid-19 earliest: Excerpts from the interview:
What are the challenges you see in lockdown 4.0 in Haryana? Have you set any target to achieve in Covid-19?
We see multiple challenges ahead for the State Government in Covid-19 lockdown 4.0. According to Ministry of Home affairs guidelines, we have given relaxation to start economic activities. Migrant labourers willing to return to their home States are being sent free of cost by the State Government. But we see emergence of more unforeseen challenges before the States after the resumption of inter-State bus services, train services and domestic flight services in the Country. Rampant public movement in the country would result into rising Covid-19 cases. Thermal screening is not appropriate to judge Covid patients. Recently, 76 Haryana natives were deported back from the USA and were kept under quarantine in Panchkula. But 22 of them tested positive for corona virus infection. The number of Covid-19 cases would increase swiftly after movement of passengers from red zone to green and orange zones. Regarding setting up any target in lockdown 4.0, we have no discussion yet and no target has been set. But our focus is to contain it completely earliest.
The numbers of Covid-19 cases in Haryana are rising on daily basis. Have you assessed the situation in the State?
We need to prepare people to live with corona virus till vaccine is ready. There is a global recognition for India’s success in handling the pandemic and Government of India appreciated the efforts made by State Government in this regard. The situation of corona in the State is largely under control. We are in better position in comparison to neighbouring States including national capital New Delhi. As per Health bulletin reports, the total number of active Covid-19 cases in the State is 380 while the number patients who have been discharged are 791. The State has a recovery rate of 66.64 per cent, fatality rate at 1.35 per cent while tests per million being conducted are 3,885. The doubling rate in the State is 19 days. But at the same time, about 70 percent of the cases in Haryana are from four districts adjoining Delhi. The number of Covid -19 cases would increase more if people from all the directions would start reaching the State through different modes of transportation. Haryana people have better immune system. But they should not fall into the misconception that they cannot be infected with the corona. It is important for everyone to take precaution.
India entered the 63-day nationwide pandemic-induced lockdown. How long it would continue?
No one wants lockdown to continue but it was enforced when unprecedented situation had arisen in the country in the form of Covid-19 outbreak. We should be hopeful to contain it earliest. Opposition parties especially Congress party should not play politics at a time of crisis.
Why do you want to bring an ordinance enforcing people to wear mask, maintain social distancing and ban on spitting in open?
People should follow social distancing norms by observing ‘Do Gaj Doori’ (six-feet distance). But reality on the ground is not appreciable. To stop spread of Covid-19 further, we have planned to bring in an ordinance to impose penalties on those violating instructions and instructions have been issued to the department concerned to come out with a draft. The ordinance would soon release in the State.
Congress leader says State Government does not have a lockdown exit plan. What would you say?
Now Congress leaders are in touch with astrologers. Congress leader should tell the nation when Covid-19 outbreak would completely vanish then we would be able to tell lockdown exist plan.
There were reports of stone pelting on police force at Gurugram border with Delhi by company employees and labourers. Do you think it happened due to lack of coordination between State Governments?
Senior officers are in touch with the officers of neighbouring States including Delhi. Necessary instructions have been to police officers to tackle such situation. Our police force is working round-the-clock to keep everyone in Haryana safe (from Covid-19). The relaxation is not for common people. We cannot allow movement of common people. Those who will pelt stones at them, we are not going to spare them. An instruction has been given that if any situation of law and order problem arises, senior officers would visit the spot to try to neutralise the situation,
Your Government is facilitating migrant labourers to go their native places but industries are facing shortage of manpower. Does your Government have any plan to bring back migrant workers in Haryana to run industries smoothly?
Around 2.60 lakh migrant labourers have been sent to their home States by Special Shramik Trains and Roadways buses from Haryana. Government cannot bring back migrant workers in the State forcibly. Migrants are welcomed to come and work here. We admit that shortage of workforce is a problem for industries. Nothing can do much in this direction.
Whether OPDs in Government Hospitals have started in Haryana?
OPDs have been started in all the Government hospitals of the State. At the same time, we want to say that all corona warriors fighting the corona virus in the State have performed their duties efficiently without bothering about themselves and their families.
Opposition says Centre Government enforced lockdown without preparations. Your comment.
Had Congress leaders informed the Government about Covid-19 outbreak in the Country two years ago, we would have prepared well in advance.
When would Haryana border with Delhi be opened?
In Delhi alone, there are so many cases, how can we manage and prevent infection. We will not open borders with neighbouring states unless situation improves. As cases are increasing so there is no chance of opening borders with Delhi.
Centre Government has now decided to ply more trains to facilitate people but you have recently stopped the operation of Inter-State bus services. Why did you do so?
How would we manage to contain Covid-19 outbreak in the State if patients of neighbouring States frequently reach the State? There is no possibility of starting inter-state bus services unless situation improves. The people living in districts which are closer to Delhi have also been affected. There are around 12,000 corona virus cases in the national capital. Several cases reported from Sonipat, Jhajjar, Gurgaon, Faridabad and even Panipat have their origins in infections emanating from the national capital, following which we had put strict regulation on borders with Delhi to check the spread of infection. Though, the essential services and movement of doctors, paramedical staff and some others as per orders of the Delhi High Court have been allowed. We have nothing against the people of Delhi, but we have to protect our own people too.
Why did you accuse Punjab Government of not addressing migrants’ concern? Whether migrant labourers from Punjab still entering Ambala on foot after crossing border?
It is not possible that migrant workers are entering Haryana without knowledge of Punjab Government. We had asked Haryana DGP Manoj Yadava to take up the matter with his Punjab counterpart and he spoke to Punjab DGP to prevent entry of migrant workers to Haryana from the neighbouring State. After this initiative, the flow of migrant labouers from Punjab reaching in Haryana has been reduced.
