Despite all possible concerted efforts Bhopal and Indore continue to cause concern because of the rise in the number of Corona virus affected persons. Because of the failure of controlling the rising trend centre has decided to deploy central public health teams to assist states in implementation of containment strategy to combat the infectious disease. Such teams are being deployed in 20 districts of the country including Bhopal and Indore. These teams consist of experts from National Centre for Disease Control, AIIMS, JIPMER and All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health among others. The teams will submit reports to the additional chief secretary, the principal secretary and the secretary (health) of the respective states detailing their observations, areas for improvement and recommendation an office memorandum issued on Saturday said. Regional directors of the health ministry in these states will coordinate the deployment of the teams with state health authorities.

As far the question of opening liquor shops, Madhya Pradesh government has decided to open shops. A meeting of traders was called by the Excise secretary to chalk out strategy for the opening of shops. Liquor shops are closed since March 24, the day from which lockdown was enforced. The suspense over whether liquor shops will open took an unexpected turn on Monday when liquor contractors moved MP High Court against a state government order to open shops for business from May 5.

Most other states have already ordered reopening of liquor shops – neighbouring Chhattisgarh in fact has allowed home-delivery – but in MP, soon after the commercial tax department gave the green light on Monday the traders slammed the brakes, saying they will not open under the given condition because it will add to their losses. While the cash strapped government is eyeing excise duty from liquor to cushion its losses from the lockdown, liquor contractors apprehend huge losses due to the Covid restrictions. Sources say liquor contractors have told the government that they are facing acute staff shortage as a sizeable chunk of their workers have returned to their homes in UP and Bihar. Also, they say, they will find it difficult to enforce social distancing.

The case my come up for hearing on Tuesday. “Till the court takes a decision, we will not open our shops,” liquor traders said. A meeting between the contractors and government failed to break the stalemate on Monday.

Earlier in the day, the government issued an order for reopening of liquor shops in almost the entire state, expect for continent zones and Bhopal, Indore and Ujjain districts, as they have the highest number of Covid-19 cases. District collectors were asked to ensure that the Centre’s guidelines on mask, social distancing and other precautions are implemented strictly. Traders are far from happy at being asked to open shutters. After six weeks of zero business they are looking for tax cuts.

“Many states, including UP and Haryana have reduced license fees. The UP government was read to open shops with license fees for last year while in Haryana it was slashed by 25%” said a liquor contractor.

Another problem relates to the payment of railway fares by migrant workers of the state who are stranded in other states and who want to come to Madhya Pradesh. The first bstch of labourers came from Nashik. When they reached Bhopal it was learnt that each one of them has paid Rs. 300 to 400 as part of their fare. There was loud protest from various sections of society. The critics asserted that it was an act of cruelty that those who are on the verge of starvation should be forced to pay their fare.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Monday morning criticised the government for ‘charging’ migrants fare and said that the main opposition party would pay the ticket amounts, hailing the workers as ‘nation builders’. Soon Congress functionaries directed state units and governments where the party is in office to coordinate efforts to raise funds.

Sensing the political damage of the allegation that poor migrants keen to go home were being made to pay the railways as well as BJP went on a counter offensive saying the Centre was bearing 85% of the transportation cost while states sending back the workers were bearing the rest. BJP members said it was only states like Maharashtra, where Congress is part of the government, which were refusing to pay the 15%. The railways said it was charging basic sleeper fare plus Rs. 50 for costs that included sanitation and running trains with reduced passengers even as Congress member said that earlier, Indians abroad were airlifted back home at government cost.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that his government will bear the burden of returning workers. Former Chief Minister Kamal Nath too declared that they will implement the instruction of Sonia Gandhi.

Despite passing through grave crisis political parties, mostly BJP and Congress are busy exchanging allegations and counter allegations. The other day Kamal Nath held press meeting and listed the reasons for the overthrow of his government. He blamed his party MLAs who continued to misled him and Digvijaya Singh by assuring that they are no quitting the Congress. BJP on is part blamed Kamal Nath that he did not take any step to face the Corona menace. Kamal Nath on his part claimed that he took many steps to deal with the disease. “I ordered the closure of schools and colleges and also postponed the sittings of Vidhan Sabha. When I took these steps BJP leaders ridiculed me and asked what was the need of such measure” he said. (IPA Service)