Prime Minister Narendra Modi during meeting with State CMs via video conferencing on Wednesday, June 17, 2020
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– globalbihari bureau
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday stressed the need to speed up economic activities “with due precautions in place” and said as the country was now in phase of Unlocking, “we need to now think about phase 2 of Unlock and how to minimize all possibilities of harm to our people”.
On the second day of his meeting with chief ministers via video conferencing, he noted that with reduction in restrictions, indicators of economic performance were showing signs of revival and that Inflation was also “under control”.
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Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Telangana and Odisha, were present in today’s meeting.
The Prime Minister asked the States to take steps to boost infrastructure and construction related work. He listed steps taken under Atmanirbhar Bharat to provide a fillip to MSMEs, farming and agriculture marketing. He also underscored the need to remain alert to effectively tackle the challenges faced by the migrant labourers in the coming months.
Modi observed that the spread of the virus was greater in “certain big states and cities” and added that high density of population, difficulty in maintaining physical distancing and daily movement of people in huge numbers had made the situation challenging.
“Yet through patience of citizens, readiness of administration and dedication of corona warriors, the spread has been kept under control. Through timely tracing, treatment and reporting, the number of those recovering is rising, he said. He added that the discipline shown by people during Lockdown had prevented the exponential growth of the virus.
Modi talked about the presence of better health infrastructure and trained manpower to meet the challenge. He highlighted the increase in domestic manufacturing capabilities of PPEs, masks, availability of diagnostic kits in adequate quantity, supply of ventilators made in India using PM CARES fund, availability of testing labs, lakhs of COVID special beds, thousands of isolation and quarantine centres, and adequate human resource through training.
While the Prime Minister underlined the need to give constant emphasis on health infrastructure, information systems, emotional support and public participation, he also stressed the importance of testing to quickly trace, track and isolate those affected. “The existing testing capacity needs to be utilized fully, and along with constant efforts for expansion,” he said. He also mentioned the benefits of telemedicine and the need to create a big team of senior doctors who can guide and inform the sick through this means.
Modi claimed that the States where Aarogya Setu app had been downloaded in large numbers were witnessing positive results. Efforts should be made to increase the reach of the app, he said. He talked about being vigilant against health related problems that come with the Monsoon. He also underlined the emotional aspect of the battle against the virus, including battling fear of being afflicted and the stigma attached by making people aware of the high number of those who had defeated the virus and recovered. “Our priority must remain to help and support our corona warriors, doctors and health care workers,” he said while adding that Jan Bhaagidaari was essential in this fight. He reiterated that people must be constantly reminded to use masks, face cover, and maintain physical distancing.
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