From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, May 18: Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has assured that the government is making all efforts to supply vaccines against the Covid 19 pandemic and said a new set of action plan would be announced in the next 15 days based on which and the availability of vaccines suitable programme for vaccination can be taken.

Modi wanted the States and District administrations across the country to take suitable steps to check wastages of vaccines and give importance to proper utilization of all available vials of the vaccines.

The Prime Minister made the promise during a video conference interaction with Chief Ministers of 10 States and deputy commissioners or district collectors of their 46 districts on the Covid-19 situation in the country. As many as 17 deputy commissioners of the State’s districts participated in the video conference, in which Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took part.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, Deputy Chief Minister and State’s Covid Task Force head Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Chief Secretary P Ravikumar and other senior officers were part of Karnataka’s team in the video conference from Bengaluru.

Deputy Commissioners of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Kodagu, Shivamogga, Hassan, Mysuru, Mandya, Tumakuru, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Dharwad, Ballari, Raichuru, Kalaburgi, Bengaluru Rural and Bengaluru Urban from Karnataka participated in the video conference.

Priority for Saving Lives, Livelihood

“Saving lives and livelihood should be the priority,’’ the Prime Minister said and wanted ‘Ease of living’ to be accorded the same priority. He also emphasized the need to follow Testing, Tracking, Isolation, Treatment and Covid Appropriate behaviour. Guidelines and protocols on micro containment zones and home isolation must be strictly adhered to, he said.

Modi said oxygen plants are being installed in all district hospitals under the PM-Cares Fund. He asked the State Governments and District administration to take all necessary steps to urgently solve the problems of oxygen shortages and ensure that oxygen monitoring committees must work efficiently to achieve the objective of talking the oxygen shortages and availability problems.

With the onset of monsoon in most parts of the country, Modi wanted suitable precautionary measures to be planned and implemented.

“The challenge before the country is enormous. But our determination, dedication and action is even bigger,’’ he said asking the States and District administrations to utilize their experience and expertise which will be useful in the future too.

Every village must take pledge against Corona

The Prime Minister said, “The problems and challenges before each district is different. You know this very well. If your district defeats Corona pandemic, entire country will vanquish it.’’

Modi stressed the need for actively involving the local people in all villages. ``It is necessary for everybody in villages to take a pledge that I won’t allow Corona to enter my village. Every village has its own innate strength and it should be properly channelized and utilized,’’ he said.

Local containment, increase in testing must be our biggest weapon against the pandemic, the Prime Minister and wanted the State Governments and district administration to ensure increase in the number of beds for treatment and take stern action against black-marketing of essential drugs and medical equipment, which will boost the conference of the people.

It is necessary to take suitable precautions and vigil in every village to ensure quick response to the problems faced by the least of the person and creation of such a system will enhance the confidence of the people. ``This is the real Atmanirbharata,’’ he said.

Take Elected Representatives into confidence

With opposition parties criticizing the Modi government for not handling the surge in the Covid Second Wave effectively, the Prime Minister exhorted the States and District administrations to take the elected representatives into confidence at all levels and ensure proper utilization of all available human resources and other materials efficiently and effectively.

The Prime Minister had a word of praise for the Deputy Commissioners of districts for their role in controlling the Covid Second Wave. “Some of you have faced personal challenges including being tested positive or losing loved ones. In spite of all these personal difficulties, you have done exemplary work without losing heart or courage and even not visiting their residences for days together. You have functioned admirably to meet the local challenges and situations,’’ he said adding:, “I wish to applaud your work.’’

Home Minister Amit Shah, in his introductory remarks, expressed concern over the spike in the Covid infections in rural and semi-rural as well as tier 2 and 3 towns and stressed the need for checking this surge.

6-fold increase in Oxygen production

The Union Home Minister said the oxygen production in the country has seen a six-fold increase during the Second Wave of Covid pandemic and said the military and para-military forces as well as State Governments have been doing an excellent job in managing the proper distribution of oxygen in saving the lives of people.

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta explained the measures taken to control the surge in the pandemic and said the active cases have come down to 10,000 on Monday from more than 26,000 in the city. As many as 40 Covid Care cum Triage Centres are being set up in the city for the treatment of Covid positive cases.

Deputy Commissioners of Chandigarh, Patna, Dehradun and Indore and Commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation gave a power presentation on the situation and steps taken under their jurisdiction.