PrimeMinister Narendra Modi on Friday chaired a meeting of the Council of Ministersto discuss the alarming Covid situation in the country.
Themeeting noted that the present pandemic predicament is a "once in acentury crisis", which has thrown a big challenge to the world.
Inthe meeting, the government of India's 'Team India' approach to fight thepandemic based on the collective efforts of the Centre, state governments andthe people was highlighted.
"Allarms of the government are working unitedly and rapidly to deal with thesituation," the Prime Minister said
Healso urged the ministers to stay in touch with the people of their respectiveareas, and keep taking their feedbacks.
ThePrime Minister stressed upon the need to ensure that issues at the local levelare promptly identified and addressed.
TheCouncil of Ministers also reviewed all the efforts made in the last 14 monthsby the Central and state governments and the people of India.
Theefforts by the Centre in coordination with the states towards buildinginfrastructure in the form of ramping up hospital beds, PSA oxygen facilitiesetc., resolving issues in production, storage and transportation of oxygen,tackling matters relating to availability of essential medicines were briefed.The measures being taken to further ramp up their supply and availability werealso pointed out.
Thesupport measures for the vulnerable population in the form of provision offoodgrains and financial aid to the Jan Dhan account holders were also highlighted.
Itwas also noted that India has successfully produced two vaccines and there aremany candidates at various stages of approval and induction.
TheCouncil of Ministers also stressed the importance of Covid appropriatebehaviour, including wearing mask, maintaining physical distance of 6 feet andwashing hands frequently.
TheCouncil reiterated that the participation of the society is a key aspect toaccomplish the gigantic task ahead and expressed its confidence that thecountry will rise to the occasion and defeat the virus.