Bhopal: With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no parade and cultural programmes of children in Madhya Pradesh this Independence Day on August 15.
Instead this year only an official flag hoisting programme will be held in the state capital which will be attended by chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and other members of the Cabinet.
After the state's cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra shared the details of the plan.
"Madhya Pradesh cabinet meeting took place today under Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Independence Day function (Swatantrata Diwas Samaroh) were conducted in every district and tehsils by ministers, but in the wake of COVID-19 it is decided that this function will be conducted at one location in Bhopal with the Council of Ministers by the Chief Minister," he said.
Every year, various programmes are held to mark Independence Day across districts in the presence of public representatives and ministers.
"In Zilla and in tehsil, officials will conduct those programmes. This year there will be no public events like cultural programmes of children coming from schools and parade," he said.
Flag hoisting will be conducted only by government officials at districts and talukas.
"Chief Minister's speech will be live and telecast on channels. Cabinet decides that in 'COVID Yodha Kalyan Yojna' if an administrative worker dies during duty then that person will get the assistance of Rs 50 lakh immediately. Till now 20 people have received this kind of assistance," he further added.
The number of COVID-19 cases and fatalities in Madhya Pradesh stood at 24,095 and 756, respectively, as on July 21.
With inputs from agencies
Also read: Shivraj Singh Chouhan to hold meeting with ministers for 2 days
