IT News
Imphal, Oct 9:
Amidst the unprecedented human crisis due to pandemic COVID-19 across the globe, some vested corrupt officials are looting the helpless citizens in the name of this scary disease.
Rob in Broad daylight is going on in Manipur. Returnees from outside Manipur state through by air are being tested by charging Rs.750 mandatorily in some district hospitals without giving any kind of receipts to the returnees. And individuals are being charged disproportionate fare for transporting them to their respective districts from Airport, again without issuing any receipts.
Imphal times got the information through some recent returnees from Delhi. One returnee from Delhi told us that they were charged Rs.300 per head for transportation from HRD Ghari to Bishnupur in a Bus, which is merely 30km. In the Bus around 30 passengers were on board. We thought as a responsible media organization, we should bring it up to the notice of the government of Manipur and to the people of Manipur.
Few basic questions raises from the incident.
1. What is the government policy regarding the testing of returnees by Air ?
2. Where exactly is the money going? (Even if government of Manipur had ever policy of charging Testing cost to the returnees. As we all understand this is unprecedented and policy might keep changing from time to time).
3. Is it reasonable to charge 300 per passenger for 30km?
4. Is the government of Manipur/officials who are dealing with the crisis don’t know it?
5. Shouldn’t govt set up a monitoring team (though late) to look after the steps/procedures?
To fight this pandemic, everyone from every circle of the society are working hard, government, non govt organizations, many individuals are putting their lives on risk to fight this deadly disease. Thousands of individuals who were working in different parts of the countries are returning to the state due to many reasons, some has lost their jobs, some are on unpaid leave.
We don’t like to blame it straight to the government but want to draw attention for immediate actions. Thousands of family are struggling for their daily meal, many government departments, officials are working day and night to fight this pandemic while some individuals/officials are busy in looting its citizens.
The gentleman who arrives from Delhi recently narrated his ordeal of the day to IMPHAL TIMES. He was returning with his family of 5 members including his two year old son. He was so restless in fact was travelling taking high risk after due consideration of all his circumstances. While he landed at the Imphal Airport -they were taken to HRD School for segregation to their respective districts. He is from Bishnupur district. He has in fact around 4 thousands in his pocket as usually most common traveller do. They wait for around 2hrs at the HRD – and later told to board a bus for Bishnupur -at his surprise he was told to pay Rs 300 per passenger , while he asked officials who were at the spot- about such high charge, he was told its order from the DC- which DC they didn’t divulge even he asked to show the order copy if they have, again they cann’t provide to him. Later his request turns to a kind of argument – the official later in a threatening tone asked him – Do you want to go or not? As he has a little child – he had no option but to pay the unreasonable charge. All through the way inside Bus-many questions came up to his mind – what is going on, to whom I go for all this ? Within 40 mints they were dropped to Bishnupur District hospital for Covid 19 Antigen test. All were in Queue – while his turns come up – he was asked to pay Rs.750 per individuals. He again asked the official who was on duty -is it chargeable? With a mocking smile the man said Yes ! (and murmured -everyone wants free service).While he checked his pocket he was short of money, He requested the official to wait for sometime and he called his family members at the hospital asking to bring some money. He paid Rs.750*5 = Rs.3750/- , he asked for receipt – the man on the counter said – your name -details are noted here- we don’t provide receipt. Again -he tried to pull up all his conscious of being a responsible citizens and requested – to provide, this time -the man raise his voice little louder and asked – see everyone are paying and doing test and getting result immediately and going home-if you want to go home early as you also have a child – pay and do it. ( Wasn’t it an attempt to threaten indirectly – fall on the lines like other people otherwise !!! may be they can alter your result and sent you to qurentine center – this is what that gentlemen came to his mind). He finally paid the amount and got tested , their family are all fine now at home. But the ordeal of his arriving day and incident of ROB ON BROAD DAY LIGHT HAUNTED HIS MIND EVERYTIME – and finally he narrated the story to Imphal times. We bring you here only a case study- If you have the same stories – please feel free to share it with IMPHAL TIMES. We will try to draw the attention of the government and raise your voice for a clean Society.
LET US UNITE TO CLEAN THE SOCIETY, YOUR VOICE IS OUR POWER.
