DIMAPUR, MAY 7: The All Kohima Indane Distributors Association (AKIDA) has urged state Chief Secretary to include frontline staff of LPG distributors in the frontline list for COVID vaccination by May 10 and warned that failure on the part of the Government, the Association would be compelled to hold their services and stay away from the COVID surge in Nagaland.
In a letter to the Chief Secretary, AKIDA president, Kuolachlie Seyie and general secretary, Tseibou Dzüvichü stated that the state Government has not made COVID-19 vaccination available to the staff of LPG distributors of Kohima either on payment or for free till date.
It said the LPG Distributors and their staff cater to every household in the State for LPG needs, which require physical interaction with the public, hence daily exposure to COVID 19 as distributors of the said essential commodity.
Stating that India has recorded 61 deaths in just the LPG sector alone, AKIDA said during delivery of refills and other services, the staff continue to operate in physical proximity with scores of people and are being put at high risk category in terms of vulnerability of OVID-19 infection.
It further informed the Chief Secretary that LPG staff have not been provided due preference for COVID vaccination by the state Government for want of their inclusion in the frontline list, as such, the LPG distributors and staff, which include administrative staff, drivers, handymen and delivery men are facing untold miseries and high risk for their lives and the lives of their family members.
The Association also pointed out a letter from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India addressed to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on February 2 this year, in which the Secretary of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has requested all staff of LPG distributors to be considered as frontline workers for COVID vaccination, which was received on April 28. Similar letters were received from the President of North East Indane Distributors Association and General Manager LPG, but the Association has not received and positive response from the Government, AKIDA stated.
(Page News Service)
