Covid 19 cured patients ignored at Punjab’s Independence Day functions
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in
75th Independence Day was celebrated throughout in India with great zeal on August 15,2021.
For celebrating 75th Independence Day, ministry of home affairs (MHA) has issued a guideline on August 3, 2021 to all the chief secretaries, all state governments and administrators of all the union territory administrations under subject “Independence Day Celebrations on 15th August 2021-Instructions”.
As per the MHA letter, “all the states, districts, sub-division and panchayat headquarters/ bigger villages have to follow the given instructions. The ministry wants that National Flag is hoisted at all State Capitals/ Districts/ Blocks/ Panchayat levels. It would be appropriate that Covid Warriors like doctors, health workers, sanitation workers are invited in the ceremony as a recognition of their noble service in fight against Covid-19 pandemic. Some persons cured from Covid-19 infection may also be invited.”
Covid 19 cured patients ignored at Punjab’s Independence Day functions. When randomly checked with district administrations, no district in Punjab seems to have invited any Covid 19 cured person as a guest on the Independence Day functions.
When contacted the additional deputy commissioner (general) Pathankot, Sandeep Singh PCS said,” no such invitation was extended to any Covid 19 cured patients for Independence Day functions.”
When checked from Mansa district administration, assistant commissioner (general) Harjinder Singh Jassal (PCS) said,” we didn’t invite any such person. He further added that no such instructions were given by Punjab government. We follow the instructions given by Punjab government.”
When checked from the newly created district Malerkotla officials, ADC (general) Rajesh Tripathi (PCS) said “No. We didn’t invite any such person.”
When contacted assistant commissioner (general) Sangrur, Charanjot Singh Walia PCS said “No, we didn’t extend any invitation. But still, I’ll confirm and get back to you. When contacted after 2 hours, Walia didn’t take the call.”
When asked the Fatehgarh Sahib officials, additional deputy commissioner (general) Rajesh Dhiman said,”No.”
When contacted the Barnala district officials, assistant commissioner (general) Dev Darsh Deep Singh (PCS) said,” we didn’t invite any Covid 19 cured persons, due to Covid.”
When contacted Patiala district administration, assistant commissioner (general) Jasleen Kaur Bhullar (PCS) said, “specially, we didn’t invite any Covid 19 cured person for Independence Day functions. But we have fulfilled the criteria of the MHA instructions, as many of those present in the function, were already cured patients. Moreover, creating any special section for cured Covid 19 persons is not a good gesture .”
Ministry of Home Affairs releases August 15 celebrations guidelines
August 16,2021
