New Delhi: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya during the discussion on the Covid-19 pandemic in Rajya Sabha said that the country will not be let to be hit by the third wave. He said the Covid pandemic should not be politicised and added that the country can move forward 130 crore steps if its 130 crore people take one step forward. "Our resolution and PM Modi's guidance can save us from a third wave," he said. India will become the first country to develop a DNA based vaccine, he said, as per reports.
Our resolution and PM Modi's guidance can save us from third wave: Health Minister Hitting back at the Opposition's remark on the under-reporting of Covid deaths, Mandaviya said the Centre only complies and publishes data given by the state government. Nobody is directed to flout the number of deaths or positive cases. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the same thing during the meeting with Chief Ministers. Further, he said, few states flouted global tenders to procure Covid vaccines while the vaccine was not available.
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States and Centre need to work together to tackle the pandemic. Many states have 10 to 15 lakh doses of unused vaccines and the data is available, said Mandaviya. Covid vaccines have been supplied to over 130 countries. Relaxation of trials was given to vaccines from foreign countries so that inoculation exercise is fastened in the country. In order to prevent the third wave of Covid, vaccine trials have been initiated on children, he said.
Lashing out the Opposition's mockery on PM Modi's order to bang utensils, he said, it was to encourage Covid warriors. It was meant to honour policemen, healthcare staff. "Before being a Minister, I am a father. My daughter worked as an intern doctor in the COVID ward. She told me that she would work in that ward itself and she continued. At that time I realised the importance of 'thaali-taali', it gave us courage," he said. He also said during the past pandemics, many people died of starvation. Free foodgrains were provided by the government to ensure no one was deprived of food.
Following a stormy session of Parliament on July 19 over the Pegasus snooping row, the Opposition's furore in both Houses continued on Tuesday too. Rajya Sabha was adjourned thrice. The session would conclude on August 13. A total of 31 bills are proposed to be introduced in Parliament.
Also read:Pegasus rocks Rajya Sabha, Congress demands discussion under Rule 267
