Chandigarh: After arriving at the discovery that few people were paying heed to the lockdown call, the Punjab government on Monday clamped a curfew to fight coronavirus, making it the first state to take the drastic measure.
In a video message, chief minister Amarinder Singh said he was forced to take the step “in the larger interest of the state, and in the interest of all of you.”
Entire world is under threat of #Covid19 & we in Punjab are no different. Difficult times call for difficult decisions. Hence for the good of everyone, curfew has been imposed. We have already taken necessary steps to help elderly & underprivileged. All must adhere & cooperate. pic.twitter.com/XFcscRB0rO
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) March 23, 2020
Singh said he received reports that people were moving around as usual in towns, mohallas and cities despite the lockdown that came into effect on Monday morning.
In the past few days, we have initiated legal action against violators of home quarantine. All measures being taken are for the larger good of everyone. While I am happy that everyone is cooperating, I will not let a few threaten the safety measures being taken against #Covid19. pic.twitter.com/u38xHkQl9F
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) March 23, 2020
He called the violation of the lockdown, which will last up to March 31, unacceptable and said it was his duty as the state’s head to save Punjab .
The tough measure was followed by an announcement on relief measures, including food and medicines for the poor. The last dates for paying power and water bills and clearing farm loans too have been extended.
The Punjab government had on Sunday announced a lockdown to check the spread of coronavirus in the state. Punjab reported 21 coronavirus cases till Monday morning.
Initial reports in the morning from several places, including Amritsar, Moga and Ludhiana, said people were assembling at markets despite the lockdown order.
Police officials made announcements in these shopping areas, asking people not to gather and warning them of strict action.
The chief minister had on Sunday appealed to people to follow health safeguards and avoid leaving their homes unless there was an emergency.
Meanwhile, the CM announced a slew of relief measures including free food, shelter and medicines for the needy and also deferred the payment of electricity, water and sewerage bills.
Also read: Here Are All the Places That Have Gone and Will Go Under Lockdown
Singh sanctioned Rs 20 crore out of the CM’s relief fund for free food and medicines for those in need. Punjab Cabinet ministers on Monday announced to contribute their one month’s salary to the fund. A government release quoting Parliamentary Affairs Minister Brahm Mohindra said the ministers decided to make the contribution on the suggestion of the CM.
Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh said the CM directed the local government department to extend the date for the payment of water and sewerage bills to all municipal bodies by a month.
The amnesty scheme on property tax has been extended up to May 31.
The last date for paying electricity bills up to Rs 10,000 has been extended up to April 15 from March 20. The payment of motor vehicles taxes can now be deferred by a month.
Contract carriage vehicles would be given 100% exemption from the Motor Vehicle Tax for not plying during this period, the government said.
The cooperation department decided to waive penal interest on loan taken by farmers from central cooperative banks and primary agriculture cooperative societies for two months.
Farmers can now repay their crop loans by April 30, the statement said.
The CM also ordered the social security department to immediately release pensions amounting to Rs 150 crore for March.
The government has already released pensions totalling Rs 296 crore for February. It has also announced a payment of Rs 3,000 each to registered construction workers.
(With PTI inputs)