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Ganjam: Alleging non-availability of food and other basic facilities, over 100 Surat-returned migrant labourers reportedly fled from two COVID-19 quarantine centres in Ganjam district on Sunday.
According to sources, the labourers were placed in quarantine centres set up at Janata High School and Adarsh Vidyalaya in Beguniapada block of Ganjam district soon after they were brought back from Surat in two buses on Saturday.
The labourers alleged that they did not get food, drinking water and other facilities at the two quarantine centres. Expressing disappointment over the lack of facilities, they fled from the centres and started walking towards their respective villages.
More than 100 migrants leave quarantine centres at Janata High School & Adarsha Vidyalaya at Khallikote in #Ganjam alleging insufficient supply of food & drinking water; they had returned to #Odisha from Surat yesterday; concerned officials could not be contacted on the matter pic.twitter.com/VjSimUbPpR
— OTV (@otvnews) May 3, 2020
“When we landed here, the officials had assured that all facilities will be provided to us at the quarantine centres. However, when we reached the centres at around 9 PM, food and drinking water were not given to us. Even the centres did not have bathing facilities,” said one of the labourers.
He said they sought the intervention of cops in the matter at a police station on the way after slipping out of the quarantine facilities, but the officials allegedly did not pay heed to their words.
“If the administration failed to provide food and other facilities to 100 people, how would they ensure smooth stay of lakhs of people who are returning to the State,” the labourer questioned.
When the district administration police learnt about the matter, some officials reportedly intercepted the labourers and tried to convince them to go back to the quarantine centres. While some returned to the quarantine centres, others did not return.
When OTV contacted Beguniapada Block Development Officer (BDO), the official reportedly said he would comment on the issue later.
The incident has raised questions over the arrangements made by the administration at the quarantine centres for the returnees.
As per the guidelines of the Odisha government, all migrant workers who are returning to the State will have to undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine. The State government has laid down certain guidelines and approved expenditures for smooth running of quarantine centres.
While Rs 120 has been fixed as food expenditure for an adult per day, Rs 100 will be a given to a child below 14 years for 14 days. Similarly, Rs 300 has been earmarked for personal hygiene kit which includes tooth brush, paste, tongue cleaner, soaps, oil, razor, masks, sanitary pad, mug, bottle and bucket.
https://youtu.be/zB4tFPdVBNs
