SUP writes to CS over alleged violation of govt notification exempting of pregnant women from attending office

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 31, 2021

A citizen’s forum under the banner of the ‘Ka Sur U Paidbah Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SUP)’ has demanded the state government to direct all departments to strictly comply with a notification exempting pregnant women from attending office

“…we strongly demand that the government issue a strict office orders to all departments to follow/adhere to sensitive notification/orders/guidelines issued from times to times in letter and spirit, so as to ensure that the health and live of its employees are protected at all time,” the forum’s spokesperson Thomas Passah said in a memorandum to the chief secretary MS Rao on Monday.

He informed that the next of kin of one of the frontline workers (nurse) deployed at Ganesh Das Hospital, Lawmali, has report an incident, wherein a pregnant staff nurse was not granted leave by the managements and was compelled to continue her duty despite having reported about her ill health, which further lead to her death after being tested Covid-19 positive.

“These amounts to clear violation of the notification issued by the Government of Meghalaya on May 17. As per the notification “Persons with disabilities and Pregnant Women employees should stay at home and are exempted from attending office,” he said.

“This incident has clearly pointed out that even the Government departments are not adhering to guidelines issued by the Government which jeopardize the life of the citizens of the state. We are not aware if there are other similar violation(s) by other departments,” Passah added.

Meanwhile, the forum lauded the health department for coming up with a notification on May 11, which advises all administrative heads of the departments, heads of department of all directorates/CCMTs at the village level to identify all the employees/residents with previous record of advance pulmonary disease or are under medication for the same and advise such persons to work from home.

“This is seen as a very important decision taken for the welfare of our citizen. However, we kindly request the health departments to ensure that same is implemented in letter and spirit,” Passah stated in the letter.