Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Union council of ministers today. Held virtually, the meeting, which began at 4 pm and went well beyond 8 pm, was also attended by ministers of state and ministers with independent charge.
In the meeting, the prime minister stressed the need to prevent a third wave of Covid-19, sources told CNN-News18. Vaccination on a war footing and following of Covid-appropriate protocol must be practiced and encouraged at all levels, he is said to have told the ministers.
PM Modi told the ministers that it is their responsibility to act in such a manner that there is no third wave. “Aisa mahaul banayein ki teesri leher aaye hi nahi (create an atmosphere such that there is no third wave at all),” the PM is said to have told the ministers.
Sources told CNN-News18 that when PM Modi spoke to the ministers while concluding the meeting, he emphasised the importance of last-mile delivery. “Shilaanyas se udghatan (from laying the foundation stone to completion) should be of our focus,” he said.
During his address which lasted for about 40 minutes, the PM also said that “protocol must be followed seriously because Covid is not over,” adding that the ministers must lead by example. “Even when you are going out in public, you must ensure that you are masked up,” he said.
Niti Aayog Member Dr VK Paul made a presentation during the meeting on India’s fight against Covid-19. The prime minister while speaking in the meeting also lauded his government and the efforts of scientists as India waged one of its toughest wars with Covid and launched the world’s largest vaccination drive, sources said.
“It has been a massive challenge for India to overcome not just one but two waves of Covid so what must continue even now is the strong implementation of mask and social distancing rules. The vaccination drive has been happening at a rapid pace but that pace needs to continue in the days and weeks to come if India has to inoculate its entire adult population by the end of this year. There is still a decent amount of vaccination hesitancy thus every lawmaker needs to ensure that they take every person they can for vaccination,” he underlined.
The PM is also said to have stressed the importance of containment zones as an effective tool and way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Apart from reviewing the Covid situation, he also reviewed in detail the projects that have been announced by his government in the last seven years and the progress made. A presentation was made by ministries of Road and transport, and civil aviation during the meeting.
The government needs to work on a mission mode including ministers for all projects announced in the last seven years, he said.
Just announcing projects is not where the responsibilities of a minister end, he said. “It is your job to make sure that the pending works are completed within your tenure,” PM Modi is said to have told them.
The upcoming Parliament session is expected to be a stormy one so each minister needs to be prepared with data and figures to counter the Opposition, the prime minister stressed.
Suggestions have also been sought on ways to make the life of Indians better who have battled the crisis of Covid-19 very effectively over the last two years, sources said.
India will celebrate its 75th year of independence this year which the government is celebrating as “Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav”. It should be a big success, PM Modi told ministers, adding that they must take pride in this historic occasion and participate in various programmes that are being organised leading up to the main day.
Read all the Latest News, Breaking News and Coronavirus News here.
Comments
0 comment