Chief minister Hemant Soren has said that his government is working out modalities to rope in 300 ex-servicemen as frontline workers to wade through a reeling manpower crisis and hinted at announcing further curbs in the coming days to prevent the spread of the virus, mainly in rural parts of Jharkhand where specific Covid management plans are being put in place..

Hemant's statement came during the second leg of his virtual meeting with lawmakers on Tuesday, two days ahead of the expiry of the current partial lockdown (health safety week) on May 13. On April 22, the state government had enforced a week-long health safety week with a host of restrictions, which later got extended to May 13 by introduction of a few more curbs.

Ahead of its expiry, the state government is of the view for more stringent lockdown, which many states had already done recently. Although Hemant didn’t talk about the nature of the expected extension of lockdown, he told lawmakers, “While we are working actively to control the situation, considering the current situation, it is imperative to break the transmission chain on an urgent basis. Hence, the state government is mulling to take a few more strict steps ahead.”

Tomorrow, the state disaster management authority (SDMA) chaired by the chief minister is expected to take a further call on the status of lockdown, which according to sources in the government, is in all likelihood to be extended for another fortnight. While the daily caseload of fresh infections have slightly come down in the last few days but state’s mortality rate still continues to be higher than the national average of 1.10 percent.

Detailing on a few plans in the offing as part of covid-19 management, Hemant informed the attendees that they are expecting to get services of 300 ex-servicemen to work as ‘covid warriors’ to tackle the emerging challenges of manpower.

“Army Welfare Board (Sainik Kalyan Board) has informed me that about 300 ex-army men will soon be provided to us to work as covid warriors. We are aware of the gaps in our health infrastructure and about manpower shortages now and are taking appropriate steps on a priority basis. Roping in ex-army men is in that direction. This apart, I appeal to all of you to inform us about any human resource—retired doctor, paramedics etc, if they are willing to contribute. We will work on it to use them,” he said, reiterating about the progress so far in augmenting oxygen beds across the state, streamlining oxygen supply facilities, among others. “We also plan to set up PSA oxygen plants at sadar hospitals in every district,” he said.

Close to three dozen MP and MLAs of Kolhan and South Chottanagpur commissionary attended today’s meeting to air their views, observations and suggestions before the government with focus on containing the virus in the villages.

Some of the attendees included Khunti MP and union tribal affairs minister Arjun Munda, Jamshedpur MP Bidyut Baran Mahto, Lohardaga MP Sudershan Bhagat, Ranchi MLA C P Singh, Mandar MLA Bandhu Tirkey, Silli MLA Sudesh Mahto among several others.

Many lawmakers expressed concern over large scale illness as well as mortalities in the villages but were remaining undetected. For example, Singhbhum MP Geeta Kora cited that she has come across many regions in Chaibasa where different kinds of illness exist among people but aren’t reporting it properly due to proper awareness. Similarly, there are many misconceptions and fears about the vaccination among rural people. “There is a need to launch large-scale testing, tracking and treatment besides doing awareness about vaccination on war footing before the situation goes out of hands,” she advised.

Many also cited the lack of functional health centres in block and village levels that are adding to further woes of the rural populace.