New Commissioner of BMC : As Expected
Bhubaneswar (Surjit Kumar Dhal): Sanjay Singh, one of the competent officers in Odisha’s administrative corridors, has been chosen the Commissioner of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC). He takes over the charge from Prem Chand Chaudhury. Singh’s appointment to the post comes at a very critical juncture. Odisha is in the massive clutch of a dangerous second wave of Covid. The surge in positive cases especially in Bhubaneswar and its nearby continues increasing despite the state enforcing some of the stern lockdown measures and with the weekend shutdowns. The statewide lockdown had been announced till May 19 and there is a stretch further upto the end of May to combat Covid.
On an average, Bhubaneswar has seen 1000-1500 fresh Covid infections every day for around six weeks. The transmission chain is spreading fast though the vaccination drive is ongoing. The number of positive is spreading both by quarantine and local contacts. BMC has been cracking down on offenders of Bhubaneswar. It is also going for harsh measures against commercial establishments who are acting against the government enforced Covid protocol. Recently, BMC sealed the premises of the judicial complex in the city to contain the spread of infection. If symptoms other than those already noticed in staff are observed, the judicial complex authorities have been instructed to inform the BMC.
Yet, the count of cases continues to mount. Reviewing the situation, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra said the daily testing rate would be enhanced to 3000 in BMC’s jurisdiction. Bhubaneswar will host 33 rapid response teams to monitor isolate cases in their homes. These teams will be assigned specific areas and will enforce COVID principles of appropriate behaviour among people. Patients in home isolation who were positive for the disease were not to move outside the home.
However, implementing all these measures is certainly going to be strenthen. More needs to be done. Singh realizes it better than anyone else. This 1997 batch IAS officer is a bureaucrat with capacity in delivering during a crisis when it counts. He needs an strongest approach and a well planned strategy to curb the rising incidence of Covid positive cases. The lockdown period needs to be extended as cases are not reducing. Singh needs to be extremely vigilant on the situation over the next three to four weeks when the dangerous pandemic is going to reach its peak. The same pandemic has created fears of a third wave. Here, the balance is needed between controling the disobeying folk and opening up economic activities. Singh needs to take strong acton against the errant people who continue to defy protocol. Managing this show is never going to be so easy. But Singh’s experience as an excellent burocraft will help him well.
One of our photo journalist seek help of Mr. Singh for the treatment of his mother suffering from Covid. Surprisingly he extended his generous hand in providing treatment immediately after our request. We expect such help for all from the newly assumed Commissioner. Our establishment, Reporters Today wish him all success in future.
