Kohima, May 7 (MExN): The All Kohima Indane Distributors' Association (AKIDA) has issued an ultimatum to the government of Nagaland to include staff of LPG distributors in the frontline list for COVID-19 vaccination within May 10.
In its letter addressed to Nagaland Chief Secretary on May 7, AKIDA stated that the Nagaland government has not made COVID 19 vaccination available to the staff of LPG Distributors of Kohima either on payment or for free till date.
The Association highlighted that LPG Distributors and their staff cater to every household in the State for LPG needs, which require physical interaction with the public. Hence, as distributors of of the said essential commodity, they are at risk of daily exposure to COVID-19, it noted.
AKIDA also noted that so far, while India has recorded 61 deaths in just the LPG sector alone, 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 COVID 19 infection.
These LPG Staff have not yet been provided due preference for COVID-19 vaccination by the Nagaland government for want of their inclusion in the frontline-list, the Association noted and pointed out that LPG Distributors and their staff – administrative staff, drivers, handymen, and delivery men are facing untold miseries and high risk for their lives and the lives of family members.
Referring to the letter from the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas addressed to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare earlier on February, and also letters of the President North East Indane Distributors Association and General Manager LPG requesting all staff of LPG Distributors to be considered as frontline workers for COVID-19 vaccination, AKIDA stated that no positive response has been received till date.
In this regard, it appealed for staff of LPG distributors to be included in the frontline list for COVID-19 vaccination within 13 days with effect from the receipt of the aforesaid three letters, i.e, by May 10, failing which the Association cautioned that they would be compelled to halt services to the general public in order to stay away from the COVID-19 surge in Nagaland.
