Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, May 1:Booth level officers who have been asked to conduct health survey in Baramulla town accused administration by making them vulnerable to COVID-19 infection by providing inadequate protective gear.
The officers complained they have received a cloth mask, a pair of hand gloves and locally made bottle of sanitizer in the name of protective gear. They said it is inadequate to keep the deadly COVID-19 infection away with such inadequate gears. “They should have provided us a full body suite and proper cover. It is a big worry for us. Worst part is that whatever has been given is substandard,” an officer said.
For the last three days around 120 booth level workers are conducting a door-door health survey in and around Baramulla town. They have to conduct the survey of all the households spanning across Baramulla constituency. The health survey encompasses gathering information regarding family size, health status of the family members and travel history. The process is being done to create a database to fight the COVID-19.
However, the staff that has been entrusted with the job has been gripped by fear of contacting the diseases in absence of adequate protective gear. “We are ready to perform our duties and are, infact, doing our job for the last three-days but want Government to provide us adequate protective gear. We are the frontline workers and if, God forbid, anything happens to us it will affect the entire process,” Fayaz Ahmad, President of Booth Level Association Baramulla, told Excelsior. He added that the fear of taking the infection home is bothering them the most.
The employees have requested the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, P K Pole to intervene into the matter. “The adminstration should immediately provide us the necessary equipment to save us and our families from the deadly disease,” Abdul Rasheed, another employee, said.
Despite repeated calls the Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, G N I too and the concerned Tehsildar did not respond.
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