Next three to four weeks crucial: PM Modi tells all CMS at review meeting
nNEWDELHI:PRIME Minister Narendra Modi told state chief ministers on Friday that the next three to four weeks are crucial in the fight against Sars-cov-2, which causes Covid-19, and asked them to redouble efforts to crack down on the pandemic, and assured them of all possible help from the centre, according to people aware of what transpired during the interaction.
A day after addressing the nation on the issue, and emphasising the importance of social distancing and a people’s curfew (on Sunday), Modi interacted with all CMS for the first time on the pandemic through a video conference. He asked the states to work with the centre and underlined that India finds itself at a critical milestone in the spread of the virus. He also said there was no need for any panic.
Some chief ministers including West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee requested the government to allow private hospitals to test for and treat the disease as pressure is mounting on the government’s medical establishments.
Prime Minister Modi said that the “threat of the pandemic is common for all states” and added that in this critical time the centre and all states must work together. According to a participant , Modi added that the participation of people is at the core of the success of any strategy.
Apart from the PM, the meeting was attended by all CMS and senior PMO officials. Union health secretary Preeti Sudan briefed the CMS about the steps taken so far and added that the PM is personally monitoring India’s response to the crisis.