No plan in place to financially help maids, says Chandigarh Adviser

Amarjot Kaur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 24

The UT Administration has little role in private sector management, said UT Adviser Manoj Parida to the UT Administrator and added that there are no arrangements to extend financial help to maids in the city.

However, the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF), Red Cross and other Central funds have been used to help migrants and others employed in unorganised sector.

“We have no data of maids as it is a private arrangement. We have helped eligible beneficiaries, comprising around 70,000 families in containment areas with three-month advance money for ration along with 15-kg wheat and -kg pulses,” he said.

Parida said,“The Centre gave money directly to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families while the Food Corporation of India gave grains for around Rs15 to Rs17 crore.”

Parida said nearly, Rs1 crore from a total of Rs5 crore State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) has been used for running ‘Shramik’ trains. “We are bearing the cost of running ‘Shramik’ trains. One train costs between Rs5 lakh and Rs6 lakh.”

Around 50 lakh food packets were given to the needy through the Red Cross. “The Deputy Commissioner runs a Covid Red Cross Fund where we get donations and 80 per cent of food packets were given by us while the rest were distributed by various NGOs,” said the Adviser.