Succeeded in Saving Life and Livelihood with Cooperation from All Rajasthan Better Compared to Other States in Controlling Corona – Chief Minister

Jaipur, September 26. Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot has said that all sections of the society played an important role in our fight against corona infection in the State. The State Government with the help of Public Representatives, Leaders of Various Parties, Social Workers, Religious Leaders, Philanthropists and Corona Warriors have been able to control the corona infection to a great extent in the State, and also the fatality rate has been minimal. He said that the entire State remained united and got everyone’s support in saving peoples’ lives and their livelihood in this fight against corona. All together will fight against corona in the future also, he said. 

Shri Gehlot was discussing with the leaders of various political parties and representatives of voluntary organisations about the steps taken so far in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic through video conference from his official residence on Saturday. He also asked for the suggestions from the leaders of all parties and representatives of voluntary organisations. He said that corona management has been good in Rajasthan. The State is in a much better position compared to other States in controlling the pandemic on various parameters. 

The Chief Minister said that during last few days’ public representatives, the general public and various organisations have shown their concern regarding spread of corona. He said some states had imposed lockdown of two day in a week, but the Government of India says that two-day lockdown in a week is not enough to curb the infection. At least 14-day lockdown is necessary to control this pandemic. Earlier during the long lockdown there had been a livelihood crisis before the people who earn by working wages. He said that to curb the spread of corona the State Government has put a ban on gathering of more than five persons by imposing section 144 in 11 cities of the State. 

Shri Gehlot said that not more than one person should go to meet the patients admitted at COVID Care Centres. There is an increased risk of infection if more than one family member meets the patients. He directed to issue an advisory in this regard. 

Representatives of social organisations and NGOs during the video conference suggested that public should be made aware about the health protocols. Everybody suggested that people should be made to strictly follow the social distancing and wearing masks. 

Health Minister Dr. Raghu Sharma said that there is adequate availability of oxygen beds, ventilators and ICU beds in the State. He said the testing capacity in the State has increased to more than 51,000 tests per day. In the coming time there will be capacity of 4,500 tests per day in SMS with the COBASS machine. 

Minister of State for Education Shri Govind Singh Dotasara said that on a holiday people following self-imposed lockdown should not go out of the house until there was an absolute necessity. Minister of State for Health Dr. Subhash Garg thanked leaders of various political parties for joining the VC and emphasised on running an effective awareness campaign. 

Many important suggestions came from public representatives during the video conference. Leader of Opposition Shri Gulab Chand Kataria suggested strict adherence to health protocol, make wearing of masks compulsory and to link influential people of the society with the awareness campaigns. BJP State President Shri Satish Poonia suggested to run effective awareness campaigns with the help of voluntary organisations and to ask private hospitals to treat patients at the rates prescribed by the government. BTP President Shri Velaram Ghoghara suggested taking help of the local Social Organisations while creating awareness about corona in tribal dominated areas. He also suggested making proper arrangements for employment for the migrants who came during the lockdown. CPM’s Shri Balwan Poonia suggested providing counselling facility to the patients admitted at COVID Centres, while CPI’s Shri DK Changani and Shri Narendra Acharya suggested generating awareness with the help of Mohalla (Colony) Committees to ease down the atmosphere of fear among the people. BSP State President Shri Bhagwan Singh Baba, RLP MLA Shri Pukhraj Garg and other leaders too gave their valuable suggestions. 

During the VC with representatives of voluntary organisations, Majdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan’s Shri Nikhil Dey had all praise for the steps taken by the State to prevent corona infection and to fulfil its pledge of ‘No One Sleeps Hungry’. He said that a good work has taken place in the field of health infrastructure in the State. Social Activist Smt. Aruna Roy said that at the time of corona people got a lot of support with ration, pension and MGNREGS. She suggested giving employment to people by running a ‘Kaam Mango’ (Demand Work) campaign. PUCL’s Smt Kavita Srivastava suggested providing full information about the medical protocol to people in home isolation and adequate monitoring of them. 

Former Chairperson of the Rajasthan State Commission for Women Smt. Lad Kumari Jain, Shri Dharamveer Kateva, Shri Anuj Saxena, Dr. Anant Sharma, Shri Varun Sharma, Shri Umashankar Sharma, and Shri Hemant Bhai Goyal also shared their valuable suggestions. 

Principal Secretary Medical & Health Shri Akhil Arora in a presentation about the steps taken to prevent corona infection said that capacity has been developed for more than 15,000 oxygen cylinders daily, 35 testing labs have been established and there is availability of more than 8,000 oxygen beds, 1700 ICU beds and 1352 ventilator beds. Patients are being provided lifesaving injections for free. Beds and ambulances are being arranged for serious patients on getting information on the Helpline 181, he informed. Chief Secretary Shri Rajeeva Swarup, Director General of Police (Crime) Shri ML Lathar, Principal Secretary Home Shri Abhay Kumar, Secretary Medical Education Shri Vaibhav Galriya, and other officers were present in the video conference.