UP govt asks officials to open community kitchens for poor, migrant labourers

The Yogi Adityanath government has decided to open community kitchens to ensure food for the poor, elderly and migrant labourers in Uttar Pradesh amid the national lockdown. Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi informed that over lakh food packets were distributed to the needy and over 18,570 vehicles were used to ensure doorstep delivery of essentials.

Lucknow:The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday directed officials to start community kitchens to provide food to the poor and migrant labourers amid the 21-day lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus.

"The chief minister has directed the opening of community kitchens for poor, elderly, migrant labourers and those residing in slums. On Thursday, over one lakh food packets were distributed among needy persons in the state," Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi told reporters here.

The CM has directed DMs of the districts bordering other states to make arrangements of food and lodging facilities for labourers and other migrants coming from other states.

He said orders regarding use of legislator's local area development fund for purchasing equipment, masks etc amid the coronavirus outbreak has been issued. "The amount given by legislators will now be transferred to the Health and the Medical Education department," he said.

Regarding doorstep delivery to people, Awasthi said presently 18,570 mobile vehicles were being used for the purpose and it is being ensured that no one goes out to purchase items.

He said through the CM helpline, over 30,000 village heads have been contacted and briefed about measures to be taken to check the spread of coronavirus.

(PTI)