Video Conferencing with Prime Minister : Central Government Should Immediately Provide Economic Help to States, Centre Should Implement Interstate Supply Chain Protocol : CM

Jaipur, April 2. Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot requested Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to immediately provide assistance of Rs. One Lakh crore to States to deal with Covid-19 global pandemic. Besides this, he said the Centre at this hour of crisis should implement interstate supply chain for uninterrupted supply of essential items, medicines and medical equipment.

Shri Gehlot on Thursday took part in video conference with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi along with chief ministers of other States. Apprising the Prime Minister with the decisions taken to provide relief to all the needy sections including helpless and destitute, poor and construction labourers, he said it is very important that Central Government extends sufficient help to face disaster like corona.

Increase Credit Limit of State Up To 2%

Chief Minister said maximum States are already reeling under severe economic problems due to slump. Now the entire economy of the State is getting affected due to lockdown. The industries and businesses are lying closed. Maximum activities to earn revenue have closed down because of which the revenue collection has been very less compared to the target. Besides this, the State Government has to provide additional help and economic package to the needy sections to deal with the challenge of corona infection. All these have badly affected the economic situation of the State. Looking to this, the Centre should immediately provide relief package and should also permit to increase the credit limit of the State up to 2%.

ICMR Should Coordinate the Purchase Of Ventilator and PPE

Shri Gehlot said that at present all States are making separate purchase of Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) and ventilators due to which the rates are high and different too. The Central Government through Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) should coordinate the purchase so that necessary medical equipment and ventilators are available to all States on time and at reasonable price.

Centre Should Give Advance Money for MGNREGS, The Outstanding Of Power Generation Corporation Should Be Postponed

Chief Minister requested Prime Minister that at this time poor section of the society should get more help, for which the Central Government should give States the advance money for registered and active MGNREGS labourers. The Central Government should also postpone the payment of loan instalments by State to Reserve Bank of India and other Central Institutions.

Challenge Being Combated With Complete Determination and Dedication

Shri Gehlot said that the State Government is combating this disaster with complete determination and dedication. “We are working continuously 24x7 to deal with this challenge. The state government has set up war room at the State and district-level. We have made a core group of senior officers to keep continuous watch on the situation and to take immediate decisions,” he said. Chief Minister said that one-lakh isolation beds have been arranged in the State. The testing and other facilities developed earlier to deal with swine flu and its experiences are helping to deal with this crisis, he added.

Relief Provided To Every Section

Chief Minister said, “It is our determination that we will not let any person in the State sleep hungry during the lockdown. Besides this, purchasing power of people is also being maintained. Therefore, we have disbursed the pension given under social security to 78 lakh beneficiaries for the February month and payment for the month of March will be made in this week.” He said that the State Government is bearing Rs 1500 crore for this. Along with, approximately 31 lakh families who do not come under social security pension have been compensated by providing an amount of Rs 2500. In this way the State Government is providing relief to all sections of the society.

Shri Gehlot said the State Government is ensuring effective execution of the advisories issued by the Central Government. He said Rajasthan is full cautious and alert over this pandemic and will leave no stone unturned to deal with this challenge.

Health Minister Dr. Raghu Sharma, Chief Secretary Shri DB Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary Home Shri Rajeeva Swarup, Director General of Police Shri Bhupendra Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Health Shri Rohit Kumar Singh and other senior officers were present during the video conference.