PANJIM: As the fight to win over COVID-19 pandemic continues, the State government has published a ‘Ready Reckoner’ to create awareness among the local bodies about challenges and measures to overcome the crisis.
The Goa Institute of Public Administration & Rural Development’s (GIPARD) 12-page plan titled ‘Panchayat Raj Institution and COVID-19: Challenges and The Way Ahead,’ has stated that the local self- government bodies, besides the government authorities, have a critical role to play as they cater to the grassroot level.
A major task is to create a data base of those who have/had tested positive for COVID-19 so as to monitor their health parameters and encourage them to take adequate medical action and follow up. Likewise, the local bodies will also have to monitor home quarantine of families.
Given that Health is the top priority, the panchayats have been asked to ensure every individual in the ward and villages take precautions to remain healthy. They role of the panchayats would be to ensure it is equipped with thermal guns and that all visitors are checked. Further, to create public awareness on the precautions; carry out periodic fumigation and cleanliness drives at public places such as schools, health centres, etc; arrange for periodic health check- ups and health camps for senior citizens and children; ensure that public toilets have water supply and to device protocols for hygiene, cleanliness, entry, social distancing, etc at all public places.
The Ready Reckoner has also encouraged the village panchayats to engage with religious institutions, NGOs and social groups as part of outreach efforts in creating awareness amongst the communities.
Helping senior citizens
The department has also reeled off a detailed list of do’s and don’ts while also giving special attention to senior citizens. “Check on them regularly, preferably by phones, given the risk of transmission. Make a plan for providing them with groceries, supplies and medicines. Make sure they have at least one month’s stock of all their regular medicines in case they need to stay home. Encourage them to maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat nutritious food, get enough sleep, don’t smoke, stay active and limit alcohol use. Be kind and show empathy,” the category, specially designed for senior citizens, reads. It has also suggested various other steps to ensure safety of the senior citizens.
Boosting local economy
The GIPARD has admitted that several households in the villages will face economic hardships owing to the loss of livelihood or job cuts. Earning through tourism and hospitality has been majorly affected.
“Economic activities will be hit badly. The key activities related to tourism, food and hospitality services, public transport, service industry and also foreign remittances will reduce thereby affecting income of the people and affecting the local economy at large. Undoubtedly, this is the time to make efforts towards building a self-sufficient and self-sustainable village,” the report states.
To overcome these challenges, the panchayats have been recommended to identify potential activities within their respective villages to provide livelihood to the people, through agriculture and allied activities in addition to skill-based training.
To handle social challenges among the youth in particular, the panchayats have been asked to channelize them into meaningful activity, providing them skilling and self-employment activities; stress management sessions, counseling centre to be set up either at panchayats or counseled over the phone; sessions to motivate them, dealing with depression, loneliness, etc.
The comprehensive report, in fact, has covered every aspect on how to face the current challenge and gradually overcome the situation.
