Daijiworld Media Network - Bagalkot (SP)

Bagalkot, Jun 8: At a time when the coronavirus pandemic is extending its tentacles with each passing day, there is need to be more and more vigilant about its deadly influence on the people.

Hundreds of workers under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act work together at a spot in the district. Most of them have not worn masks. Nobody seems to care about the need to wear face masks either. As one can see, Bagalkot zilla panchayat (ZP) chief executive officer (CEO), Gangubai Manakar, got herself clicked in the company of 460 workers without caring for social distancing and mask. The situation was witnessed during her visit to a spot where canal development work is in progress.

From the day coronavirus set its foot in the country, the ZP CEO here has been visiting villages, urging people to wear masks, use sanitisers and stay inside the houses besides maintaining social distance. She also distributed lacs of masks in the district. When she went to check the canal dredging work on Sunday, a huge crowd was seen.

The people could be seen to walk with the CEO without caring for social distance which she herself had peached them. People also formed a crowd and discussed different issues with her. A look at the photo gives rise to suspicion in the minds of the people about the coronavirus prevention measures undertaken by her with so much conviction. The fact she did not follow the rules and remained mum in the presence of so many people violating the norms, has come as a surprise.

There are a large number of coolies from other states among those working under employment guarantee scheme. Even though they might have completed quarantine, being careful is very much necessary, particularly at a time when the state has been witnessing a surge in the number of coronavirus cases. The lapse becomes more predominant because the person who took a lead in enforcing measures to restrict coronavirus herself is found flagrantly violating them.

The incident goes to take away credit from the officer who worked relentlessly for two and half months to fight against coronavirus. It also gave rise to a sense of apprehension in the minds of the onlookers.