PM Modi virtually interacts with LGs, Governors on Covid situation

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday virtually interacted with governors and lieutenant governors of all states and union territories regarding the covid-19 situation and the ongoing vaccination drive in the country.

According to PMO, PM Modi said that the values and sense of duty of people are the biggest strengths in the battle against covid -19, along with the vaccine. He also praised the citizen who participated in this battle last year, considering it their duty, he said that the same feeling of janbhagidari (public participation) needs to be encouraged now as well.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, union home minister Amit Shah and union health minister harsh Vardhan also attended the interaction.

The prime minister also mentioned that the role of the governors, through appropriate utilisation of their social capacity, thus becoming all the more critical to achieving victory over COVID -19. Governors are an important link to ensure better coordination between state governments and society, he said, adding that the combined power of all community organisations, political parties, NGOs and social institutions needs to be harnessed.

He also suggested that the governors can actively engage to ensure that social institutions collaboration seamlessly with the state governments towards micro containment.

He said that their social network can help ensure an increase in the capacity of ambulance, ventilators and oxygen in hospital. Along with spreading the message about vaccination and treatment, the governors can also spread awareness about AYUSH related remedies, according to the PMO release.

PM Modi noted that the Indian youth, the workforce, is an important part of the economy, therefore, it is important to ensure that the youth follow all covid -19 related protocols and precautions. He said that the governor’s role is also critical in ensuring the greater engagement of our students in university campuses towards this janbhagidari.

We also need to focus on better utilisation of facilities at university and college campuses, he added.

Discussing the raise in the number of covid-19 cases, he said that in this stage of fight against the virus, the country stands to gain from last years’ experience and improved healthcare capacity. he discussed the increased RT-PCR testing capacity and noted that the country has become Aatmanirbhar with respect to kits and other material related to testing.

He also emphasised the significance of increasing tracking, tracing and testing, and said that RT-PCR testing needs to be increased from 60 to70 per cent, while urging that more and more people should get tested.

He also underlined that the government is committed to ensuring adequate availability to vaccines, highlighting that India has become the fastest nation to reach the landmark of 10 crore vaccinations. Noting the positive impact of tika utsav in the last four days, he said that in this period, the vaccination drive was expanded and new vaccination centres also came up.

According to the official statement, vice president Naidu also appreciated PM Modi for leading the fight against COVID -19 and his proactive steps to develop the infrastructure required to tackle the pandemic, highlighted the contributions of the scientific community, healthcare works, sanitation workers, and other frontline workers in giving a vaccine to India and the whole world.

 Naidu called upon the governors to bring up a coordinated front by leading all party meeting in their respective states and engaging with civil society organisation to spread awareness about COVID – appropriate behaviour.

Meanwhile, shah stressed the importance of saving each and every life, while the governors shared details of how their respective state are tackling the spread of the virus and coordinating activities towards ensuring a smooth implementation of the vaccination drive. As per the PMO statement, they gave suggestions for further improvements in the efforts and shared plans of how janbhagidari can be increased through the active social engagement of various groups.

India has been witnessing a massive surge in COVID-19cases and reported a record number of over 1.84 lakh infected on Tuesday.

Source: ANI