COVID-19 scare: RS’ TMC member in self-quarantine

New Delhi, March 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Rajya Member Sukhendu Sekhar Roy has decided to remain self-quarantine for 14 days amid coronavirus scare. Roy, the All India Trinamool Congress leader, had informed the House about his decision on Thursday.

After papers were laid in the House, Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu told the members, "A letter has been received from Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, stating that in view of the growing number of COVID-19 affected persons in the country, he has decided to remain in self-quarantine at home for the remaining part of the ongoing Budget Session. He has, therefore, requested for grant of leave of absence from March 19, 2020, up to remaining part of current session of the Rajya Sabha."

Another member Md. Nadimul Haque then said: "Sir, what about the rest of us?" To this, Naidu said, "You be rest assured...The very purpose of your wearing a mask is not achieved."

Speaking over COVID-19 outbreak, Congress member Anand Sharma said the government had also issued a notification for the closure of many institutions in view of this deadly disease.

"First, the Epidemics Act has been invoked in Delhi and in the rest of the country. So, is the Parliament exempt from the laws which Parliament makes?" the Congress leader asked. He pointed out that people above the age of 65, as per the government notification, should not come out. "I am above 65. Honourable Chairman is above 65. There are so many Members above 65. So, what example is Parliament setting about the respect for the laws of the land and government's notification?" Sharma asked.

Nadiu replied, "Right; except the Government servants, who are on duty. God bless you! Nothing would happen to me and to you."

CPI-M Member Jharna Das said the bio-metric attendance should be stopped immediately.

"I would like to draw your attention to the need for immediate suspension of biometric authentication in the Public Distribution System (PDS) as a precautionary measure against further spread of the Covid-19 virus," he said.

The CPI-M member said that one of the first measures taken by the Centre to contain the spread of Covid-19 was the suspension of biometric attendance for the Central government employees. The logic of this measure was that the virus spreads partly through human contact with infected surfaces.

"In principle, the danger can be largely averted by careful wiping of the e-POS surface after each authentication. However, PDS dealers can hardly be counted on to take such precautions on behalf of their customers. In these circumstances, it seems best to suspend biometric authentication itself," he pointed.

He said the Kerala government has already suspended biometric authentication in the PDS, urging that the matter may be given urgent consideration. "The Covid-19 is spreading fast," he said.

Source: IANS