Budget Session won’t be cut: PM

BJP MPs to visit respective constituencies, spread awareness about coronavirus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday rejected speculation of the ongoing Budget session of Parliament getting curtailed early due to COVID-19 scare and asked BJP MPs to visit their respective constituencies and spread awareness about the novel coronavirus. Mr Modi, it was learnt, told the BJP parliamentarians that the budget session will conclude on its scheduled date of April 3.

During the BJP parliamentary party meeting, Mr Modi also lauded the efforts of the government employees, private sectors, medical staff also including doctors and nurses and the media for containing the spread and creating awareness about the COVID-19. The Prime Minister also appreciated employees of airports, railway stations and other public places in combating the virus.

“The Prime Minister urged the MPs to visit their constituencies on Saturday and Sunday in small groups and aware people about the coronavirus disease. He also advised the MPs to aware people about the measures which will help them in containing coronavirus infection,” said Parliamentary Affairs minister Pralhad Joshi while quoting the Prime Minister. Mr Modi also asked the BJP leaders to inform the people steps taken by the government to deal with the virus.

“If media, doctors, pilots, state owned transportation, airport, policemen, railway station can work in this direction, MPs have to do their job. They have to run the house and simultaneously take care of their people,” said Mr Joshi quoting the PM on suggestions, including from some BJP MPs that the budget session be curtailed. The PM told the MPs that they should tell people that they should take precautionary measures but should not panick from the virus, which had so far infected more than 130 people and resulted in three deaths.

“We discussed about the dos and don’’ts, and MPs role. We also talked about those who have been working in other fields, like railway stations, airports to appreciate their efforts because it was very difficult to contain the infection in the 130 crore populated country.”

— PRITAM BANDYOPADHYAY