Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : The Union Council of Ministers met on April 30, 2021, to discuss the situation arising out of the second wave of COVID in the country.The Council of Ministers meeting noted that the present pandemic crisis is ‘once in a century crisis’ and has thrown a big challenge to the world. Government of India’s Team India approach to fight COVID, based on the collective efforts of the Centre, State Governments, and people of India was highlighted at the meeting.
PM Narendra Modi said that all arms of the Government are working unitedly and rapidly to deal with the situation. He also urged the Ministers to stay in touch with the people of their respective regions, help them, and keep getting their feedback. He stressed on the need to ensure that issues at the local level are promptly identified and addressed. The Council also reviewed all the efforts made in the last 14 months by the Central and State Governments and the people of India.
The efforts by the Central Government in coordination with the states towards building up infrastructure in the form of ramping up hospital beds, PSA oxygen facilities etc, resolving issues in production, storage & transport of Oxygen, tackling matters relating to availability of essential medicine were discussed at the meeting. The measures being taken to further ramp up their supply and availability were also pointed out. The support measures to the vulnerable population in the form of provision of foodgrains and financial support to Jan Dhan account holders were also pointed out, according to a pIB release.
It was also noted that India could successfully produce two vaccine and there are many candidates at the various stages of approval and induction. More than 15 crore vaccination have been done as on date. The council of Ministers also stressed the importance of Covid appropriate behaviour– wearing a mask, keeping physical distance of 6 feet, and washing hands frequently.
The Council reiterated that the participation of society is a key aspect to accomplish the gigantic task ahead and expressed confidence that the country will rise to the occasion and defeat the virus. The meeting, held through video conferencing, was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by Ministers as well Principal Secretary to PM, Cabinet Secretary. Member (Health) NITI Aayog Dr V K Paul made a presentation on Management of Covid-19 pandemic.