Thiruvananthapuram, July 15: Kerala Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan today informed that Local Self Government (LSG) bodies in the State who are at the forefront of Covid defence activities and services would have no restrictions on their expenses related to preventive measures.
Briefing media, the Chief Minister said, “Two instalments of plan allocations have already been released and the third instalment for local bodies will be released next week. LSG bodies can spend from the plan fund on setting up quarantine and reverse quarantine facilities, give additional assistance to Covid hospitals, set up first-line treatment centres and run community kitchens without the prior approval of the District Planning Committee. The necessary arrangements will be made in the treasury and the district planning committees would regularise such projects later. The project expenses will be reimbursed from the Disaster Relief Fund.”
LSG Secretaries should submit the relevant documents and the remaining amount will be allocated as part of the plan outlay. District Collectors have been directed to obtain the required additional funds from the Disaster Relief Fund. They will also receive additional funding from the CMDRF to spend as needed.
“LSG bodies should not face financial difficulties and Covid preventive measures should not suffer because there is no money. All the local bodies should move forward with more vigour in the Covid defence activities”, the CM added.
750 bedded Covid first-line treatment centre at Karyavattom Greenfield stadium
As part of strengthening the medical infrastructure facilities in the capital city, the Chief Minister today announced that a 750-bedded Covid First-Line Treatment Centre with state-of-the-art facilities is being set up in Thiruvananthapuram district on an emergency basis. This will be set up at the Karyavattom Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram and its adjoining complex, including the International Convention Center.
“The treatment centre at Greenfield stadium is being set up as an immediate solution to the recent increase in the number of Covid patients in the capital district. The centre will be able to accommodate 500 to 750 patients at a time. Swab collection facility will also available there. All the facilities will be similar to the Covid First-Line Treatment Center set up at the Adlux Convention Center near Angamaly in Ernakulam district”, the CM said.
Two months Social Welfare Pension disbursal by month-end
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has announced that the social welfare pension for the last two months will be disbursed by the end of this month. The pension for May and June would benefit about 45 lakhs people. About 11 lakhs people will get the pension from welfare fund boards. Rs. 1,165 crores will be required for social security pension and Rs. 160 crores for welfare fund boards. The government has approved the funds for disbursal. The deadline for mustering is July 22.