Port Blair, May 6: The A&N Administration is devising a strategy to provide relief to the causal workers who are working in non-essential services and are in need of relief during this pandemic period, said the Secretary (Labour & Employment), Shri Krishan Kumar while addressing a COVID-19 media briefing in the conference hall of IP&T today. He said that the employees working in shops and other establishments can lodge their grievances pertaining to non-payment of wages, deduction of wages and irregular payment by the employer. The Secretary further disclosed that to provide relief to such employees, a Control Room with no. 03192-233138 is functioning in Labour Commissioner Office from 8.30 am to 7 pm during which the employees can report the grievances detailing the name and address of the employer. As soon as the grievance is received, the Inspectors of the Labour Department will take up the matter with the concerned shop owner/establishments and find a solution to the issues raised, the Secretary added.
Informing about the COVID situation in these Islands, the Secretary, IP&T, Shri Sunil Kumar Singh informed that 4 flights with 226 passengers arrived today (May, 6) and during the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) conducted on these passengers, 5 were found positive. The number of passengers from mainland and the COVID positivity rate is also coming down as far as the testing of flight passengers are concerned, he added.
About vaccination drive, the Secretary informed that it is continuing and till 4 pm today (May 6) about 700 eligible beneficiaries above 45 were vaccinated. He once again requested the eligible persons above 45 to come forward to get vaccinated at the earliest and help the Administration to restrict the spread of corona virus.
Referring that the whole country is anticipating 3rd wave of Corona virus and we are preparing to tackle that too, the Secretary said the best way to deal with the 3rd wave is to get oneself vaccinated. Vaccination is an important tool in our hand which can save us from the menace of the virus both during the second and the anticipated third wave, he said.
The Director ANIIMS, Dr. AK Mandal was also present on the occasion. The Deputy Director G.B. Pant Hospital, Shri Amitabha De said the number of corona positive patients in the G. B Pant Hospital has come down from 96 to 73 at present. Out of the 73 patients, 50 are on Oxygen support including 26 in ICU. The Director, (IP&T), Shri Alok Kumar, Deputy Director, IP, Shri R.S. Meena also attended the press conference.