Social distancing norm goes for a toss in Odisha’s Rourkela

Rourkela: Even as the number of COVID-19 positive cases surge in the country, social distancing norm went for a toss in Rourkela. Beneficiaries of different social security schemes in Rourkela completely violated the government order on social distancing that is necessary to prevent the spread of deadly COVID-19.

At Acharya Harihar School under Plant Site Police station in the city, beneficiaries crowded today to get the monthly allowances paying least importance to social distancing. The situation worsened when some beneficiaries pushed each other to get the allowance first.

Curiously officials at the allowance distribution centre did not make any arrangement to ensure that beneficiaries adhere to the social distancing norm.

This is the second such instance in the city. Ten days back at a centre in Gopabandhupalli area, beneficiaries engaged in fracas to get the allowances. The situation went out of control despite the presence of police at the centre. Later, distribution of the allowances was halted.

A local said when such instances are happening frequently in the city, the administration must look into the issue on priority basis and ensure social distancing among beneficiaries at the centres.