Sindh government will look after the people during lockdown

Utility bills will be collected in installments

Sindh government has imposed lockdown for two weeks. Sindh has become the first province not only to lockdown the entire province to curb the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) but also to taking concrete measures and steps to provide relief to masses. 

After imposing complete lockdown of Sindh province from Sunday midnight- CM Murad Ali Shah has decided to provide the much needed relieve to daily wage labourers and poor masses that would be affected by the lockdown. The provincial government will provide the ration and basic needs to the poor people. The CM also issued new directives for the utility companies in order to provide relief to the masses.

The power distribution companies HESCO, SEPCO and K-Electric have been asked to not collect this month's bill from those consumers whose monthly bill is less than 5,000 and charge the amount in installments in the next 10 months. The CM said that he would request the federal government to ensure the continuous supply of gas and fuel to power producers and gas distribution companies.

The same instruction is for Sui Southern Gas Company as well. Consumers, whose monthly bill is up to 2,000, should be allowed to pay the amount in 10 installments. The chief minister also said that electricity and gas connections would not be disconnected in the next two months.

The Sindh government also urged the landlords of home and shops to show flexibility in rent collection.

Sindh government has already set up a fund to provide rations and food to the poor and daily wage workers that would be affected by the lockdown.  

The chief minister said only 2,500 people have been tested so far in the province. “We are increasing the capacity and making it available at all the divisional headquarters in the province.”

CM Murad Ali Shah also directed the concerned authorities to ensure uninterrupted supply of utilities, TV cable, mobile services, telephone and electricity.

Banks would remain opened and ATM services will not be shut down, he said.

                                                           Rukhsana Manzoor deputy editor