InterimCongress President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday said that Covid-19 pandemic is anational challenge that should be kept above party politics but after a yearthe government is caught off guard.
SoniaGandhi was speaking during the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting thatwas called virtually to discuss the issue of pandemic.
Inher opening remarks she said, "The Indian National Congress has alwaysbelieved that fighting the Covid-19 pandemic is a national challenge thatshould be kept above party politics. We have extended our hands of cooperationright from February-March, 2020."
"Wecannot, however, lose sight of the fact that the second wave of the Covid-19pandemic has hit the country with fury. Despite a year to prepare, we have,regrettably, been caught off guard again," she added.
Shesaid that the families are being torn apart, lives and livelihoods have beenlost and entire life savings depleted on healthcare. It is deeply concerning toread news reports of acute shortages of medical equipment and hospital beds.Reports from across the country speak of the scarcity of Covid-19 vaccine asalso of important life-saving drugs including Remdesivir in different parts ofthe country.
SoniaGandhi extended profound sense of grief and sorrow to the thousands of familieswho have lost their loved ones over the past one year to the pandemic.
"Theirpain and anguish is our pain and anguish. Let me also reiterate our deepestsense of gratitude to and support for the frontline health workers and themedical fraternity who have been rendering phenomenal service in the face ofthe severest of pressures and risks. We salute their sense of duty anddedication."
Shementioned that recently, she had detailed discussion with the Chief Ministersof the states ruled by the Congress as also Ministers, where Congress is inalliance government, to take stock of the emergent situation from them.
"Thegross unpreparedness and avoidable adhocism on part of the Modi Government inforeseeing, evaluating and managing the crisis," she added.
Shealso said that she had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after meetingwith the Chief Ministers who have spoken to the Prime Minister and written tothe concerned minister from time to time pleading for relief but some of themwere left with only a few days of vaccine, no oxygen or ventilators.
Shealleged that there has been deafening silence on the part of the government. Onthe contrary some other states have received preferential treatment/relief.Instead of listening to the constructive suggestions of the opposition, unionministers are pressed into service to attack leaders of opposition for givingthose suggestions.
"Thisconvoluted 'me versus you' debate is childish and totally unnecessary,"she said.
Itis true that after months of denial, the Central government has now givenemergency use authorisation for vaccines developed elsewhere. Better to be latethan never.
Shealso attacked the government for vaccine export. "India has alreadyexported nearly 6.5 crore Covid-19 vaccine dosages to other countries.Considering the highest infection rate in the world in our own country,shouldn't vaccine export be held back and priority given to protect ourcitizens? How is boasting about our generosity to other countries going to helpthe thousands of our people who are dying," she said.
SoniaGandhi in her remarks said that the government must also reconsider itspriority for vaccine candidates by reducing the immunisation age to 25 yearsand above as also all younger persons with at-risk health disorders likeasthma, angina, diabetes, kidney & liver diseases and other similarailments.
Shereiterated her demand of waiver of GST on drugs used in Covid.
"Asthe Central and State governments move ahead to control the situation byresorting to partial curfews, travel restrictions, closure and lock downs; wewill again be restricting economic activity that will hit the alreadybeleaguered people, especially the poor and the daily wagers. It is, therefore,imperative to provide monthly income support and transfer an amount of Rs6,000/- in every eligible citizen's account," she demanded.
Shesaid that the reverse migration of labour already having started, it will becritical to immediately address their need of safe transportation as indeedtheir suitable rehabilitation in host as well as home states.
"Letus ensure that the suggestions our party puts forward are considered by thegovernment of India in the spirit of true democratic traditions. Taking onthese challenging times as Indians rather than as political opponents will betrue Rajadharma," she said.