New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Monday that the government is exploring the option of providing ration to non-ration card holders as well amid the lockdown in the city in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak. Kejriwal also said that he was happy to see that people are not giving importance to romours now. "On Friday and Saturday, there were romours that if people gathered together, buses will be arranged. So many people gathered at the Kaushambi bus stand (on Delhi-UP border). Now the situation is under control...The police and the administration have been directed to ensure that no one steps out," Kejriwal said. The Chief Minister also said that security at the borders has been beefed up. "I urge all not to pay attention to rumours. At this time, staying at home is the biggest act of patriotism," he said. Kejriwal also warned the ration shop dealers that any wrongdoing will be dealt with strictness. "Ration shop dealers indulging in malpractices will be given strict punishment. I urge them that this is the time you should show your humanity," he said. The Chief Minister said the government is also making arrangements to provide ration to those not having ration card. "This will be done in 2-3 days. Till then, those not having ration card and ration can have food at our hunger relief camps," he said. Kejriwal said he has ordered the arrest of a fair price shop owner who allegedly diverted the subsidised ration meant for distribution among the beneficiaries. The Delhi government is providing additional ration to the 72 lakh ration card holders in the city amid the lockdown to ensure enough food is available. Earlier in the day, Lt Governor Anil Baijal warned district magistrates and deputy commissioners that strict action could taken against them for any laxity during the ongoing coronavirus lockdown, a day after the Centre suspended two senior Delhi government officers for "serious lapses" in duty. The Lieutenant Governor also told them to send anyone found roaming without an e-pass or a valid reason to district shelters set up by the administration. Baijal held a meeting with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and the officers via a video link, and asked them to strictly enforce the 21-day lockdown to curb the spread of the virus. No one will be allowed on streets except for availing essential services, the LG Office said in a statement later. Meanwhile, the Delhi government has converted its eleven schools into night shelters in a bid to help migrant workers stay in the city during the lockdown period, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said. The move comes in the wake of mass movement of migrant workers in big cities, including Delhi, to their home states after they were rendered jobless due to the lockdown that was imposed countrywide for checking the spread of coronavirus. In addition to the existing 238 night shelters in the city, the Delhi government converted 11 schools into night shelters to help migrant workers. "We have started night shelter facilities at two of our Delhi government schools near Ghazipur and Anand Vihar. We have made arrangements for food and accommodation for all those in need," he said on Twitter. Sisodia appealed to the poor and migrant workers to utilise food and accommodation facilities provided by the Delhi government. The classrooms of Government Boys Senior Secondary School, Ghazipur and Sarvodaya Co-ed Senior Secondary School, IP Extension have now been converted into sleeping rooms, said a Delhi government statement. Delhi reported 25 new cases of the novel Coronavirus pandemic in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of infections to 97, the Health Department said on Monday. Out of the 97 confirmed cases, 89 were admitted at various hospitals, according to the Delhi Health Department. Meanwhile, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), here on Monday, said only those who were involved in providing essential services would be allowed to travel in its buses.

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