Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Aug 24: Fisheries and district in-charge minister Angara directed deputy commissioner (DC) Dr K V Rajendra to take strict action against concerned officers responsible for the payment of salaries of Covid warriors.

Angara was speaking at the meeting organized at the auditorium of the DC office in the city on Monday, August 23. He further said, “Covid positivity rate is more in the district. Payment of salaries on time of personnel who are involved in the handling, control and treatment of Covid is utmost important. Salaries have to be paid on time to lab technicians, staff nurses and canteens which provide timely food. The tahsildars or concerned officers who are responsible for the delay in payment of salaries should be suspended and action should be initiated against them.

“The government is providing all facilities required to control Covid. If there are issues they should be resolved. This type of attitude of officers will not be tolerated.”

DC Dr Rajendra said, “Testing numbers should be increased in all taluks in order to effectively control Covid in the district. Primary contacts of infected individuals have to be detected. The tests need to be conducted during the time when more people will be available.

“At present 11,000 people are tested for Covid every day in the district. This number will be increased to 15,000. A minimum of people who have come in contact with the infected person should be investigated. Every lab technician should at least test swab samples of throat. Necessary vehicles and lab technicians are provided to all primary health care centres,” he said.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said that necessary action and staff needs to be recruited in order to increase Covid testing.

Dr Rajendra said, “With regards to delay in payment of salaries of Covid warriors, action will be taken against concerned officers by the end of this month. All tahsildars have to pay salaries to the Covid staff by 5th of every month. Under no circumstances it should be kept pending. Otherwise, concerned tahsildar will be served notice and disciplinary action will be initiated.”