The state government has spent more than Rs 200 crore in the fight against Covid-19, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said today.
Sangma informed this after a review meeting on the state’s response to the pandemic, which was convened by Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh.
The Chief Minister admitted that the fight against the pandemic has put a great deal of financial strain on Meghalaya.
“It’s something that the government can’t escape because it requires a lot of work to be done and we have to look forward and to start managing things,” the CM said.
The government will continue trying to improve on the situation and minimise expenditure, but Sangma reminded all concerned that Covid-19 tests in government facilities are free of cost, unlike in other states where people who are tested have to pay for the cost of the test.
Meanwhile, leader of the opposition, Dr Mukul Sangma, expressed concern that there is a failure to follow Covid-19 protocols in public, such as in banks and government offices.
“Within the government premises if certain protocols are not followed, we must engage with the people and find out ways and means to communicate these concerns,” Dr Sangma said.