The State Congress committee has demanded from the Government to declare media persons as Corona Warriors and arrange medical treatment for them if they or their family members get infected with Coronavirus. JPCC chief Dr Rameshwar Oraon has written to Chief Minister Hemant Soren with the demand.

In the letter, Dr Oraon has stated that media persons in the State are discharging their duties like other Corona Warriors and without their help it is very difficult to win the battle against Covid-19. He said, therefore, declaring media persons as Corona Warriors, free vaccines should be arranged for people in the age group of 18-45 years.

The PCC president added in the event of a media person or his/her family getting infected with Coronavirus the Government should immediately arrange for their proper treatment. He said that it is seen that media persons have to struggle for their treatment and many of them have lost their lives too. In such a situation there should be a serious thought on providing compensation to the kin of the deceased.  

JPCC spokespersons Alok Kumar Dubey, Lal Kishorenath Shahdev and Dr. Rajesh Gupta Chhotu also demanded Corona Warriors status to media persons from the Central and State Government, as well as proper treatment to the dependents in the event of infection and proper treatment in case of death.

Meanwhile, Dr Rameshwar Oraon has advised to postpone the holding of social and religious programmes for a few days to break the chain of coronavirus infection. Dr Oraon was talking to journalists after meeting with the officials of the organisation in the control room of the State Level Relief and Monitoring Committee at the party office on Monday. State Congress spokespersons Alok Kumar Dubey, Lal Kishore Nath Shahdeo, Dr P Nair, Amarendra Singh, Aditya Vikram Jaiswal were present on the occasion.

In response to a question on the Supreme Court suggestion regarding lockdown, he said that it is up to the Central and state governments. No clear order has been given by the court to implement the lockdown.

The Central and State Governments are fighting a war against the Corona infection. He said that in recent times there have been signs of decrease in cases of infection in Jharkhand, but in spite of this, he is in favour that more restrictions should be imposed. He said that marriage has been allowed by the State government in the presence of only 50 people, but despite this, crowds are being seen. Right now, all religious programmes are also banned, Holi, Ramnavmi, Sirhul and all festivals are being celebrated in homes with simplicity.

He advised to postpone 15-20 days of other social events including marriage and said that Health Safety Week is being celebrated by the State Government.

Dr Oraon said due to many strict steps taken by the State Government and economic conditions across the country, the source of income has come down, whereas the amount of aid available to Jharkhand from the Government of India to deal with the corona infection is very less.