Updated: September 24, 2020 7:25:41 am
Prime Minister Modi was interacting with the chief ministers of the states (Source: Twitter / BJP4India).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asked the chief ministers of the seven states hardest hit by the Covid-19 crisis to critically assess the one- or two-day lockdowns that various states have been imposing and the adverse impact they have. have in economic activity. .
The Prime Minister stressed the need for states to strengthen their tracking strategy to contain the spread of the new coronavirus infection.
“The confinement brought benefits. Also globally, it has been appreciated. However, we now have to focus on the micro-containment zones, which will ensure that the spread is contained … States must assess the effectiveness of the blockades that are imposed for a day or two. Therefore, economic activity should not have problems. My suggestion to states is that they take this issue very seriously. We need to increase our focus on effective testing, treatment and surveillance, and on clear messages, ”the Prime Minister said.
The prime minister’s videoconference was attended by senior ministers from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Punjab. More than 63 percent of the country’s active Covid-19 cases are in these states, which also account for 65.5% of total confirmed cases and 77% of deaths.
Modi also discussed with states the problems observed in supplying oxygen to patients in recent weeks.
“… Another thing that has emerged is that the interruption in the movement of services and goods from one state to another causes unnecessary problems for ordinary citizens; it also impacts lives and livelihoods. Lately, many states have had problems with their oxygen supply. All necessary steps must be taken to ensure that there is an uninterrupted supply of life-saving oxygen, ”he said.
The Prime Minister asked the Chief Ministers to hold daily virtual meetings with officials at the district and bloc levels so that a clear message about containment seeps down to the ground level.
“We have more than 700 districts,” he said. “But the statistics that are worrying are for only 60 districts and are limited to seven states… CMs can do a 7-day program; and every day for an hour, you need to virtually question a block or tehsil in the district, which will ensure that the message reaches the ground level and brings seriousness and sincerity “
The government, Modi said, had decided to improve the utilization of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to 50 percent to improve Covid-19 infrastructure.
“We need to continue strengthening the infrastructure; we also need to strengthen track and trace training. Today, to strengthen the infrastructure of Covid-19, an important decision has been made on the State Disaster Response Funds. Following requests from many states, we have increased SDRF utilization from 35% to 50%. This decision will result in more funds available to the state, ”he said.
The Prime Minister asked the seven CMs to adopt best practices from other states. “The country now has the highest tests and recoveries. Many states have exhibited various best practices. We have learned more from these practices and have taken advantage of them. The progress made in clinical management over the last few months is helping us a lot in the fight against the pandemic, ”he said.
At the beginning of the meeting, Modi expressed his appreciation for the doctors who have been treating patients under the Ayushman Bharat flagship scheme, which completed two years on Wednesday. “In just two years, more than 1.25 million poor patients have received free treatment under this plan. Today, through this videoconference, I express my special thanks to all the doctors and medical personnel who care for the poor, ”he said.
📣 The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay up to date with the latest headlines
For the latest news about India, download the Indian Express app.
.
