Health Minister presides over integrated training program for urban street vendors
922 street vendors provided training by PGI doctors
S.A.S. Nagar, July 07, 2020: '' The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh is pulling out all stops and sparing no efforts to tackle corona pandemic virus in an effective manner. But to ensure that these efforts yield results, the wholehearted cooperation of the people is very necessary. '' These views were expressed here today by the Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab, Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu while presiding over an Integrated Training program for urban street vendors with special focus on street food hygiene under the Punjab State Urban Livelihood Mission (PSULM), Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) organized by the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh in collaboration with the Department of Local Government, Punjab.
He exhorted all the 922 street vendors registered with the Municipal Corporation, Mohali to take full advantage of the training program and adopt the methodology and techniques to be taught by the eminent doctors associated with the PGIMER. He also exhorted them to ensure that the stuff they sell is absolutely hygienic and nutritious. Further appealing to them to adapt to cleanliness as a way of life, the minister said that by ensuring cleanliness, corona virus' chain can be broken.
He further disclosed that a scheme is also in the pipeline according to which the vendors can avail loan upto Rs. 10,000 on easy terms with the State Government paying the interest.
On the occasion. Dr. Vijender, Dr. Poonam Khanna from PGIMER emphasized upon the street vendors to go for the hygenic preparation of their items keeping in mind the prevailing situation owing to corona virus. The vendors were also sensitized to wear masks, wash their hands with soaps and sanitizers for 20 seconds as often as possible besides maintaining social distance as per the protocol of the health department.
A play emphasizing cleanliness, and focussing on goals of mission Fateh such as maintaining social distance, was enacted.
Among others also present on the occasion included Political Secretary to the Minister Harkesh Chand Sharma Machhli Kalan, Additional Chief Secretary (Local Government) Mr. Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Mohali Kamal Garg and the Joint Commissioner Kanu Thind.