New Delhi: Panic in India over the spread of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 seems to be increasing with the growing number of confirmed positive cases, which reached 656 as on Thursday.
In an exclusive interview to ETV Bharat, Union Minister of State for Commerce and industry Som Parkash said that there is nothing to be panic as the government is trying its best to handle this crisis situation.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Prakash said that meeting of representatives of industries including stakeholders exporters and associations were called and their suggestions and problems were asked. Ministry has also ensured them not to panic as the government is trying its best to handle this crisis situation. We have to face and ensure safeguarding.
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On being asked, if India can emerge as the next global market amid COVID-19 outbreak, the minister said that it is too early to say. He said, "First we have to access the situation. There are other parameters like quality and competitive rates. We have the list that which good is being exported by China to how many countries and accordingly we have to work on it. With the help of MEA we are working on it as pharmaceuticals, marine and food industries are the prominent sectors where we can work."
Som Parkash also criticized Punjab government on completion of its three years tenure. He said that the government has not done well in farming and Employment sector.
Notably, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday announced a relief package worth Rs 1.70 lakh crore to help the nation's poor tackle the financial difficulties arising from Covid-19 outbreak. The death toll due to novel coronavirus in India also climbed to 16 on Thursday.
