New Delhi: Amidst the sudden rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while interacting with Chief Ministers via video conferencing, urged everyone to remain vigilant in view of the fresh spike in infections in some states in the last two years. requested.
He said, “This is our 24th meeting regarding the corona virus in the last two years. The way the Center and the states worked together during the Corona period, it has played an important role in the country’s fight against Corona.
The Prime Minister stressed that the fight against COVID-19 was not over yet, adding that Omicron and its variants could still cause havoc as seen in countries in Europe. He said, “It is clear that the threat of corona virus is not completely over yet. How Omicron and its variants can cause serious conditions, we can see in the countries of Europe.”
Urging the states to follow the ‘Test, Track and Treat’ strategy, the Prime Minister said that we have to stop the infection at the earliest. The Prime Minister also called for raising awareness about precautionary dosing and finding new ways to augment medical infrastructure and manpower.
PM Modi said the increase in cases is a cause for concern for parents, as schools across the country are open after a long time, while the “good news” is that people in the age group of 6-12 years are vaccinated early. will begin.
Our priority is to give vaccine to eligible children as soon as possible
He said that it is our priority to vaccinate all eligible children at the earliest. For this, as before, special campaigns will be required in schools. Teachers and parents should be aware of this, we also have to ensure that.
The Prime Minister said that it should be ensured that the work of upgradation of infrastructure continues at a fast pace. We are in a better position to have facilities like beds, ventilators and PSA oxygen plants, but we also have to ensure that these facilities remain operational.
He praised the chief ministers and health workers and frontline workers for their fight against the pandemic. “During the third wave, we saw over 3 lakh cases every day. All our states also handled them and gave impetus to all other social, economic activities,” he said.
He emphasized, “Our scientists and experts are constantly monitoring the national and global situation. We have to act on their suggestions with a pro-active, proactive and collective approach. Our priority was to contain the infection at the very beginning, It should remain the same even today.”
PM urges states to cut tax rates on fuel prices
Stating that the Center and the state should practice cooperative federalism, PM Modi urged chief ministers to reduce the tax rates on petrol and diesel prices.
He said, “To keep the momentum of our economy going strong and running, it is time that the Center and the states practice cooperative federalism. To free the citizens from the high prices of petrol and diesel, we have reduced the excise duty. We urged every state to reduce their tax rates as well.
The virtual meeting started at 12 noon. Besides the Prime Ministers and Chief Ministers, senior officials of the Prime Minister’s Office, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and officials of their respective ministries are also present in the meeting.
first published:April 27, 2022, 1:59 p.m.
