PM at helm of India’s Fight against COVID-19

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is continuing his interactions with various stakeholders in India’s fight against COVID-19. He interacts with over 200 people on a daily basis which includes phone calls to various State Governors, Chief Ministers, and Health Ministers to get a first-hand feedback on India’s fight against the COVID-19 menace.

The Prime Minister also telephonically reaches out to various doctors, nurses, health workers, and sanitation staff from various corners of the country to encourage them and to pay gratitude to their yeomen service to the nation and society. PM Modi also interacts with people from various walks of life through video conferencing in an effort to control the spread of the Coronavirus. He has held discussions through video conferencing with the heads of various Electronic Media groups. He interacted with the heads of various Print Media Groups on March 24, 2020. The PM, on both the occasions, appealed that media should counter pessimism and panic through positive communication.

On March 27, 2020, The Prime Minister held a video conference with various Radio Jockeys and Announcers of All India Radio. “Need to constantly celebrate the contribution of the local heroes at national level and boost their morale,” he said.

Prime Minister also telephonically reaches to some of those who are affected with Coronavirus and to some of those who have recovered from its affects. Modi, in a special video interaction on March 25, 2020, with his constituents in Varanasi, appealed for Resolve, Restraint and Sensitivity and exhorted the people to adapt to the best practices in fighting the virus.

Regular Interactions & Meetings : Since January 2020, Prime Minister Modi held several rounds of meetings and discussions with people from various walks of life and officials to find ways to fight COVID-19. He  has been holding meetings on a daily basis and  is updated regularly by the Cabinet Secretary and  Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office. He is also being updated by the Group of Ministers (GoM) set up under the chairmanship of Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on the steps being taken by the Government.

Leading by example : The Prime Minister announced that he would not be participating in the Holi festivities in an effort to make people maintain social distancing.

Address to the Nation – Janata Curfew & 3 Week Lockdown : In order to prepare the country to deal with the COVID-19, the Prime Minister, in his address to the Nation on March 19, 2020, 2020, urged the people to voluntarily participate in the Janata Curfew for 14 Hours from 7 am to 9 pm on March 22, 2020.

While preparing the nation successfully in an effort to maintain Social Distance, the Prime Minister in his address to the nation on March 24, 2020, 2020, announced a 3 week lockdown as it is the only known effective measure in controlling the spread of the virus. Modi, gave to the nation his two pronged mantra of “Resolve and Restraint” to fight Coronavirus. He requested the people against panic buying and assured them of the constant supply of essential goods.

COVID -19 Economic Response Task Force: To deal with the economic challenges caused by the pandemic, Prime Minister announced the creation of ‘COVID-19 Economic Response Task Force’ under the Union Finance Minister.

He also urged the business community and higher income groups to look after the economic needs of those from lower income groups, from whom they take various services, urging them not to cut their salary on the days they are unable to render the services due to inability to come to the workplace.

PM CARES Fund : Keeping in mind the need for having a dedicated national fund with the primary objective of dealing with any kind of emergency or distress situation, like posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, a public charitable trust under the name of ‘Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund’ (PM CARES Fund)’ has been set up. Prime Minister is the Chairman of this trust and its Members include Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister.  This fund will enable micro-donations as a result of which a large number of people will be able to contribute with smallest of denominations.

Announces Rs 1.7 Lakh Crore Financial Package: The Narendra Modi Government on March 26, 2020, announced a Financial Package of Rs 1.7 Lakh Crore which focuses on emergency cash transfers of the poor. The Package also includes a 3 month free supply of  foodgrains, pulses and gas under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana .

Meeting with Doctors, Nurses and Health Workers: On March 24, 2020, Modi interacted with with medical fraternity – doctors, nurses and lab technicians. He said, “Your optimism has instilled greater confidence in me that the nation will emerge triumphant.”

Meeting with Pharma Sector: In an effort to maintain the regular supply of medicines and medical equipment, the Prime Minister also held a video conference with the Pharma Sector Representatives on March 21, 2020.  He asked the Pharma industry to work on manufacture of RNA Testing Kits for COVID-19 on war footing, according to a PIB release.

On March 20, 2020, Modi  interacted with all the Chief Ministers of the states through a video conference and called for tackling the challenge together.