Councillors, sarpanches told to ensure vaccination of residents

Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 17

Taking serious note of the rise in number of coronavirus cases in the region, the administration has cautioned leaders of various political parties to follow guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus during poll campaigning of their respective candidates.

Elected members of rural and urban local bodies have been appealed to sensitise residents of their localities about causes and consequences of ignoring the Covid guidelines.

They have been appealed to ensure that all eligible residents of their areas were completely vaccinated against the deadly virus.

Ahmedgarh SDM Harbans Singh said Deputy Commissioner Madhvi Kataria had sought cooperation of leaders of all political parties, panches, sarpanches and councillors, in taking proactive measures to prevent the spread of Covid during the possible third wave.

“Having observed an increase in the number of positive cases, we have advised officials of all departments to ensure that all visitors to their offices are fully vaccinated against the virus,” said SDM Harbans Singh, adding that the total number of positive cases had reached 133 in the district.

Malerkotla Deputy Commissioner (DC) Madhvi Kataria said the administration had drafted a plan to get all 32,41,59 voters of the district vaccinated against coronavirus during the days to come.

“Though 66.1 per cent of the eligible population has already received at least the first dose, we wish that people visiting polling booths remain protected against the virus,” Kataria said.

She said 37.4 per cent people had taken both doses and a good number of them had also received booster doses.

She clarified that all personnel on election duty could receive a booster dose even if there was not a gap of nine months between their earlier and present doses.

Appreciating the role of social organisations in buttressing the administration’s vaccination movement, Kataria said the authorities concerned at educational institutes had been told to prepare a roster for vaccination of their eligible students as soon as possible.

The DC said punitive action would be initiated against those who intentionally cause danger to lives of people by not obeying the Covid guidelines being issued from time to time.