Chandigarh, March 22, 2020 (Yes Punjab News)
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal and union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal today urged all mps to release MPLAD funds needed by hospitals for purchase of medical equipment to gear up for the battle against Caronavirus even as they said all hospitals in their constituencies of Ferozepur and Bathinda could avail of funds from them for this purpose.
In a joint statement here, Mr Sukhbir Badal and Mrs Harsimarat Badal said as per reports coming in there was a shortage of medical equipment and testing kits needed by government hospitals. They said the district administration could tie up with the hospitals and money needed for the specialized equipment would be released by them from their MPLAD funds.
Both mps also appealed to all other parliamentarians in Punjab and across the country to do their bit to fight the pandemic by committing much needed funds to government hospitals at the earliest.
“All other elected representatives and the public at large should also assist in this task. We should initiate this relief effort immediately. We should be geared up for every eventuality”. They also appealed to the SGPC to assist in this task by distributing masks and sanitizers.
The SAD President also urged the people to faithfully obey all the instructions of the Union and Punjab government and observe complete lockdown till March 31 as directed.
He also urged Akali workers and volunteers to assist the Punjab government in its time of need and create awareness of the need for a voluntary lockdown among the people. “Special care should be taken to ensure the elderly are specially insulated”, he added.
Mr Badal also appreciated the offer of Sri Akal Takth Jatehdar Singh Sahib Gaini Harpreet Singh to give access to gurdwara rest houses and inns for use as quarantine centres to the government besides appealing to Sikhs to stay at home.
He said in keeping with the Sikh religion’s philosophy of ‘sarbat da bhala’ the Singh Sahib had also directed gurdwara managements abroad to help the needy in this time of crises. The SAD president appealed to the SAD units in various affected countries to assist in this task.
He said Indians who had lost their employment in countries like Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and United States and were in need of help should also be given assistance by their brethren.
