New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged the Opposition parties for a meaningful debate on the government’s handling of Covid-19, both inside and outside the house, as he invited the floor leaders of parties for a face-to-face discussion over the issue tomorrow evening. Addressing the press at the start of Monsoon Session earlier today, the Prime Minister said the government was ready to answer all the questions that the people of the country have in this regard.
"I would request the Opposition to ask sharp, biting questions, but at the same time, I would request them to provide an opportunity to the government to answer those questions in a peaceful environment,” Modi said near the Parliament House gate. He said the Covid-19 pandemic had engulfed the entire world and entire mankind. "That is why we want a meaningful debate in the House. It should be given top priority," he said.
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"The members are requested to give practical suggestions so that there could be a new spirit in the fight against the pandemic. Also, if are any shortcomings, they can be rectified," Modi said as he appealed to the Opposition parties to engage the government in the discussion. He said a thorough debate in the house strengthens democracy and helps boost people’s faith in the system.
Meeting with floor leaders
Modi said he has invited floor leaders of political parties in the House for a face-to-face meeting on Tuesday evening. “I have urged all the floor leaders that if they take time out tomorrow evening then I would like to share detailed information with them,” he said. Modi said since the session was underway, he wanted a face-to-face meeting with floor leaders over the issue as he has regularly been meeting with all the chief ministers and several issues were discussed with them.
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The Prime Minister urged the Opposition to cooperate with the government to have a result oriented session. “Friends, this session should be result oriented. It should be dedicated to a meaningful debate and the government is ready to answer all the questions that the people of the country want,” Modi said.
Ferocious Second Wave
Modi’s appeal comes at a time when his government is facing unprecedented domestic and international criticism of its handling of the ferocious second Covid wave in the country in April-May this year. As per the official figures, Covid-19 virus and its deadlier variant Delta, which was detected first in the country, killed more than 2,50,000 people since the start of March this year. The total Covid-19 death count in the country has clocked 4,14,000 on Sunday, making the country the second worst hit country in the world, both in terms of number of infections and death as well. This forced Modi to oust health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan from the Union Cabinet early this month as he carried out the first-ever overhaul of his council of ministers in the second term.
His government also faced criticism from the Opposition parties and the Supreme Court over the slow pace of vaccination as it delayed large-scale advance orders to the country’s two domestic manufacturers - Serum Institute of India and Hyderabad based Bharat Biotech.
High fatality rate in the second wave forced the Prime Minister to announce free vaccination of all adult Indians at a public health care centre while permitting private hospitals to charge for administration of the three Covid vaccines approved in the country.
