Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday criticised Modi authorities over its “gross unpreparedness” and “adhocism” in tackling the COVID-19 disaster.
Chairing a meet of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) to take inventory of the scenario in States dominated by Congress, Sonia Gandhi expressed concern over worsening scenario and stated “despite a year to prepare, Centre is caught off guard as the second wave of coronavirus hit.”
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The Congress veteran made a slew of strategies to the Centre to take care of the pandemic reminiscent of to cut back the age restrict for vaccination to 25 years and supply month-to-month revenue assist to each eligible citizen’s account.
“It is imperative to provide monthly income support and transfer an amount of Rs 6,000 to every eligible citizen’s account. We made this request to the government earlier also,” Gandhi stated.
Slamming authorities over scarcity of life-saving medication like Remdesivir and COVID-19 vaccine, the 74-year-old chief stated that vaccine export ought to be restricted and precedence ought to be given to Indian residents.
“India has already exported nearly 6.5 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses to other countries. Considering the highest infection rate in the world in our own country, shouldn’t vaccine export be held back & priority given to our citizens?”
The Congress chief additionally hit out the federal government over GST levied on medication reminiscent of Remdesivir and medical oxygen.
“It is a matter of great concern that life-saving drugs like Remdesivir, medical oxygen and also other basic supplements are subjected to GST at 12%. Even basic equipment like oximeters and ventilators are subjected to 20% GST. During my talk, our chief ministers felt that as a preliminary measure, all equipment, medicines and support required to prevent and treat COVID-19 should be made free from GST,” Sonia stated.
Her remarks got here as India’s each day new instances proceed to rise. According to the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry, 2,34,692 new instances had been registered within the final 24 hours. Ten states, together with Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan, report 79.32 per cent of the brand new instances.
