PM Narendra Modi chairs Cabinet meet over COVID-19, urges ministers to stay in touch with people

PTI photo

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (April 30) chaired a meeting of the Union Council of Ministers on Friday amid rising cases of coronavirus in the country. The meeting of the council of ministers, held on Friday afternoon, is the first in the aftermath of the second wave of coronavirus in the country. The Prime Minister urged the ministers to stay in touch with people of their respective regions, help them and keep getting their feedback. He stressed the need to ensure that issues at the local level are promptly identified and addressed, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in a briefing after the review meet concluded. 

"The Council of Ministers met today to discuss the situation arising out of the second wave of COVID in the country. PM Narendra Modi said that all arms of the government are working unitedly and rapidly to deal with the situation," the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in a statement. 

"Health Ministry is closely coordinating with States regarding the availability and supply of medical oxygen- 8,593 MT has been allocated to 23 States," the Ministry of Health said. "States are also advised to undertake oxygen consumption audit in all hospitals including private hospitals," it added. 

At the meeting that was held virtually, NITI Aayog member VK Paul gave a presentation on COVID-19 management. After him, Union ministers Piyush Goyal and Mansukh Mandaviya briefed their cabinet colleagues on the availability of oxygen and medicines respectively.

PTI quoted sources saying that pandemic and the response of the government was discussed in the virtual meet. The ongoing vaccination drive, which will now open for those in the 18-45 age group from May 1, was also discussed during the meet. Prime Minister Modi has held several rounds of meetings with chief ministers and top government officials to deliberate on the COVID-19 situation. He has also been holding meetings with pharma industry leaders, oxygen suppliers, heads of the three armed forces and other dignitaries to discuss how to tackle the pandemic.

(With PTI inputs)