'Let Congress Vaccinate' online campaign launched by Karnataka Congress
Bengaluru, May 25: The Karnataka Congress on Tuesday launched 'Let Congress Vaccinate', an online campaign to create awareness about the importance of vaccination against COVID-19 and to build pressure on the government to allow it to directly procure them as per their Rs 100 crore plan.
The party had recently announced that all its legislators and MPs would pool in Rs 100 crore from their Local Area Development (LAD) funds to procure vaccines.
As part of the social media campaign, state Congress President D K Shivakumar, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Working President Eshwar Khandre, former ministers R V Deshpande, among other party leaders, shared video messages highlighting BJP governments "failure" to procure vaccine and inoculate people against the pandemic.
The party, in a release, claimed that more than 20,000 people lent their support to the campaign today and shared their videos on Twitter and Facebook,asking the BJP government to permit the Congress to procure directly and vaccinate the people of Karnataka.
"I request Congress workers to make people aware of how vaccination can defeat Covid, how the government has been slow in procuring vaccines, and how the Karnataka Congress has a proposal to directly procure vaccines, if only the government would let us," Shivakumar said.
He said the BJP government at the centre has not made enough vaccines available to Karnataka, choosing to export them instead, "for their own narrow PR gains."
"The consequence of this is that the health and well- being of our people has been compromised, thereby increasing the mortality rate in the state due to Covid."
Stating that Congress is firm on its Rs 100 crore plan and the funds would be utilised to directly procure vaccines from manufacturers and administered to the people, the KPCC chief said the party has repeatedly sought permission from the government for vaccination, but had not been granted it yet.
"On behalf of the Congress Party, we need your (people) wholehearted support so that we can build pressure on the government and we are able to show to them how vaccines can be procured and administered to people - in a totally transparent, fair and efficient manner," he added.
Leader of the Opposition in the assembly Siddaramaiah alleged that the BJP government has failed miserably in the Covid front.
"It is a proven fact that people can be protected from Covid by vaccination.
The BJP government has botched-up the vaccination process and left the people of Karnataka in a miserable condition.
Today there is no system in place and people have to fend for themselves, he said.
I request Congress workers to make the people aware of how vaccination can defeat Covid, how the government has been slow in procuring vaccines, and how the Karnataka Congress has a proposal to directly procure vaccines, if only the government would let us. #LetCongressVaccinate pic.twitter.com/7dQZFzdHyZ
— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) May 25, 2021
Experts have pointed that vaccination is the only way to prevent further waves of pandemic. It is unfortunate that @PMOIndia has done little to procure vaccines.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 25, 2021
We from @INCKarnataka, have a plan to fund ₹100 Cr+ for procurement.
I urge @CMofKarnataka to #LetCongressVaccinate pic.twitter.com/bx9hJsxXm0
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Rajnath Singh chairs IGoM meet, urges constant vigil over West Asia crisis
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday emphasised the need for round-the-clock monitoring of the West Asia conflict and called for a calibrated response to deal with any eventuality to ensure that national interests remain protected.
Singh made the comments while chairing a high-level meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) set-up to monitor the situation in West Asia.
The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister J P Nadda, Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In view of the "uncertain situation", the defence minister underlined the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner to deal with any eventuality, an official readout said.
He stressed on the need to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of the country face the minimum effect of the conflict, it said.
It was the second meeting of the IGoM after it was set up last month.
The IGoM was apprised of the measures being taken by the government in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict, Singh said on social media.
"We also deliberated upon the next steps to be taken by the government to mitigate any adverse impact arising due to the ongoing conflict," he said.
The defence ministry said in the readout said, "In the meeting, the seven empowered groups of secretaries briefed the IGoM on the steps being taken to tackle the situation."
"The IGoM was apprised about measures undertaken by the Ministry of Finance to address concerns arising due to global trade disruptions and provide relief and support to the industry, especially manufacturing, and bolster investor confidence," it said.
It listed measures including notification issued on Wednesday on full customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products till June 30.
The ministry also mentioned announcement of a special one-time relief measure for eligible units in SEZs to sell manufactured goods in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty rates to be effective from April 1 to March 31.
It also noted another notification issued by the Department of Revenue clarifying that the provisions of GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules) will not be invoked in respect of investments made prior to April 1, 2017.
"These measures will reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors including textiles, packaging and pharmaceuticals, facilitate supply stability in the country and provide requisite clarity for investors contemplating investments in India," the readout said.
Defence Minister Singh appreciated the government's decision to impose a 25 per cent cap on the monthly increase in aviation turbine fuel prices for domestic operations, with effect from April 1.
This step will help protect the people from sudden increase in fares, he said.
The government has accorded highest priority to domestic LPG supply, with refinery production enhanced to fully meet consumption requirements, according to the readout.
"The IGoM was informed that there have been no reports of dry-out at LPG distributorships, and delivery of domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders continues as per the normal schedule. The temporary supply concerns arose due to instances of hoarding and black marketing, which triggered panic buying in certain areas," it said.
The ministers were informed that strict enforcement action is being undertaken, with raids being carried out across multiple states and Union territories to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG, the ministry said in the readout.
Action has also been taken against some LPG distributors who engaged in malpractices, it said.
"To support migrant labour and low-consumption households, the government is ensuring adequate availability of 5 kg free trade LPG cylinders, and since March 23, over 4.3 lakh such cylinders have been sold. Special focus is being given to states where demand is higher," it said.
The IGoM was apprised that industrial requirements dependent on commercial LPG are being met, with over 80 per cent of pre-crisis supply levels being maintained to ensure continuity of operations.
"Special meetings have been held with ministries and stakeholders of different industries to understand their demand and meet their needs. Oil PSUs are ensuring continued supply of Auto LPG across the country," the readout noted.
"However, some supply constraints are being faced by private operators due to their procurement challenges, which is why lines are being observed at PSU auto LPG pumps. Wherever the autos are dual feed and can use petrol, they are being encouraged to use petrol," it said.
