Ok, so we have the lockdown extended till the 31st. The ration and vegetable shops along with milk vending shops open from 8-11 AM. So nice and soothing to hear that, It is only a temporary respite though. The worst is yet to come.

The Administration in Sikkim seems to lack for-sightedness. Till now the mismanagement in Health Sector was distinctly visible, but with the passage of time, The Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department along with Animal Husbandry and Livestock Development Department has started to show its true colors.

With so much happening, both this department have shown no intent at all to come to the rescue of the common masses. They have not come up yet with a notification to state that black marketing of essential commodities and livestock feed with being strictly dealt with.

Neither have they shown any urgency. Letting the shops open is only a half-done job.

Santa Bdr Manger, a taxi driver by profession, who has 21 installments amounting to Rs 14,000/- each pending in the finance company has started to have sleepless nights.

He has already missed on his EMI when his wife gave birth to a child in the month of March. He could not do much then, since he had to attend to his expecting wife. With the advent of the Tourism season, he had hoped to work extra and make up for the loss, but with the announcement of the ban on entry of tourists, trouble started.

The announcement of Lockdown added salt to the wound. The taxi is parked in his courtyard. There are no takers at the present. Income from fare is nil. But the phone calls from the financing agency are not stopping.

During the first lockdown, the GOI had announced a moratorium on all loans. But this time no such arrangements have been made.