Saving employees from coronavirus: Punjab government plans 'governance' with 30 percent officers only

The Punjab government is reportedly contemplating to carry out working of provincial government departments with only 30 per cent strength till April 5 in a bid to save its employees from Coronavirus.
Sources said the departments have been asked to prepare three lists of employees showing full strength, essential workers and third one containing names and designation of skeleton staff which would be allowed to work in case of any urgency.
In this connection, a letter was issued by the secretary implementation and coordination (I&C) to all the admin secretaries and commissioners with the subject 'preparation of three lists of officials/officers in view of Coronavirus'. It stated that in the wake of Corona epidemic, the chief secretary has desired all the administrative secretaries may prepare three lists of its employees.
An official in a provincial government confirmed that lists are being prepared. Nevertheless, he said it is not communicated when the idea of essential or skeleton staff will be implemented.
Meanwhile, panic gripped Akbari Mandi, the largest wholesale market of the province, on Wednesday when some miscreants distributed a notice claiming that the market would remain close from March 19 to April 5 due to the situation arising out of Coronavirus. When shopkeepers contacted the police station concerned, whose in charge was quoted as issuing this notice, it informed that no such notice was issued by the police station or by the city administration for the closure of market.
In this connection, the Lahore administration took notice of the false news and said that it is a fake circulation. "We have not issued any notice for closure of markets," said a spokesperson of the city government.
However, the fake notice created a panic in the market and there was a sudden surge in the demand for food items. "After hearing the news of market closure, retailers started placing their orders to stock up their shops. Even after it was established that it was a fake notice, the people were still panicky and buying the stocks," said Usman Butt, a leading trader in the market, while talking to Business Recorder.
Moreover, the provincial agriculture department has taken all the necessary steps to ensure the working of all the commodity markets in the province as per the normal routine.
Special Secretary Agriculture (Marketing) Punjab Waqar Hussain while talking to media persons said that an emergency plan has been chalked out to ensure the supply of food items to the markets without any suspension. He claimed that in case of any emergency due to Coronavirus, markets would continue to work and all the stakeholders have been directed in this regard. He said supply of fruit, vegetables and lentils would continue as per routine.
Meanwhile, District Commissioner Lahore Afzal Danish has directed the assistant commissioners to visit all the vegetable and fruit markets in the provincial capital and ensure stability in its demand and supply.