PM hails Maha Covid handling, says CMO
PM and the Centre have been guiding Maharashtra in its fight against the virus since beginning...
in a statement
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke to Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray over phone to take stock of the Covid-19 pandemic in the state and reportedly lauded Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government’s efforts in combating the second wave of the pandemic.
Maharashtra , which has recorded the most cases and deaths through the course of the pandemic, appears to have gotten the second wave under some control, especially in terms of medical care for those infected.
Eyebrows were raised in the political circles over Modi’s appreciation, given the frequent and open exchange of words between union and Maharashtra ministers.
According to the statement issued by chief minister’s office, Modi praised the Maharashtra government for its handling of the second wave. “He took information from the CM about the steps being taken by the state government for the management of Covid-19. The CM apprised prime minister about the measures planned by the state in anticipation of potential third wave of the pandemic,” the statement added.
Last week, in the course of a hearing in the Supreme Court, India’s Solicitor General spoke of the Maharashtra model of ensuring medical care and oxygen and suggested that regions such as Delhi needed to study it.
Thackeray also requested PM for an additional allotment of oxygen. “Prime minister Modi and the Centre has been guiding Maharashtra in its fight against the virus since beginning and its has proven beneficial too. Expressing his gratitude for it, the CM also thanked Modi for accepting some of the recommendation Maharashtra government made,” the CMO addded.
Union ministers Harsh Vardhan and Prakash Javadekar and state minister Rajesh Tope have clashed in recent weeks over supplies of vaccine and oxygen. I
According to a Congress leader, the PM’S appreciation comes as a surprise. “We have been very transparent in terms of cases and deaths unlike other states,” he said.
Political analyst Prakash Akolkar claimed that by praising the Maharashtra chief minister, Modi has indirectedly criticised Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. “Delhi and Mumbai, the political and financial capitals of the country are always compared with each other. By praising Thackeray, Modi has taken a dig at Delhi CM Kejriwal.”
MUMBAI: The shortage of Covid-19 vaccine doses is expected to significantly impact the inoculation drive across the Maharashtra on Sunday, said officials familiar with the matter.
In a letter to the Centre on Saturday, principal secretary of the state health department, Dr Pradeep Vyas, sought urgent supply of Covaxin as more than 500,000 people, in the above 45 age group, are due for their second dose.
Earlier this week, the Centre supplied 1,150,000 doses of Covid vaccines. However, after inoculating 234,578 people on Saturday, 363,753 on Friday and 454,546 on Thursday, the state has almost exhausted its stock.
Dr DN Patil, state immunization officer, said, “We have almost exhausted the existing stock of 1,150,000 lakh doses we received over the last one week. We are expecting the fresh stock of more than 3 lakh (300,000) on Monday. We have been following with the Centre for the stock of more than 5 lakh (500,000) Covaxin doses for the people waiting for their second dose. The number of centres to be operated depend on the stock we receive from the Centre.”
On Friday, state public health minister Rajesh Tope claimed that if the Centre failed to provide them the fresh stock of Covaxin, they will be left with no option but to divert the stock meant for the 18-44 age group. “Out of 900,000 doses we received in the last two days, less than 100,000 doses are left. This has hindered implementation of vaccination drive,” he had said.
Minority affairs minister Nawab Malik said the Centre’s failure in supplying the adequate doses of vaccines in due time has left many in a lurch. “The Centre has been operating the vaccination drive through COWIN app and has the data of the people due for the second dose, despite it there is no supply... It is unacceptable that lakhs of people are left in distress waiting for their second dose,” he said.