Staff Reporter
Rajya Sabha today took up the discussion on COVID-19 situation. Participating in the discussion Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge lauded the efforts of COVID Warriors including doctors and health care workers. Mr Kharge highlighted the plight of the people during the pandemic. He also criticized the government for mishandling the situation.
Earlier, while initiating the discussion, Swapan Dasgupta of BJP lauded the government’s welfare measures including free ration to people. He also talked about massive vaccination drive against COVID. Saying country’s economy is resilient, Mr Dasgupta said it has helped in tackling the pandemic challenges.
Participating in the discussion, Shantanu Sen of TMC alleged that the Centre is not providing adequate vaccines to non BJP ruled States. Mr Sen also termed deaths due to the shortage of oxygen as unfortunate and questioned the Centre’s approach in dealing with the pandemic.
Amar Patnaik of BJD stressed the need for global cooperation for expediting the ongoing vaccination drive. He also talked about a comprehensive Covid management strategy . Tiruchi Shiva of DMK alleged that the Centre is not providing adequate vaccines to Tamil Nadu.
Elamaram Kareem of CPI(M) criticized the government over handling the situation arising out of the pandemic. He raised the issue of adverse impact on the employment opportunities during the current pandemic and demanded government’s measures to provide relief to the youth who have lost their livelihood.
Ram Gopal Yadav of Samajwadi Party asked the government to increase the health budget to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in the country.
He also highlighted the exorbitant charges for treatment by the hospitals. Manoj Jha of RJD demanded the right to health for the people in the country so that the hospitals can not deny treatments to the patients. Sanjay Rout of Shiv Sena raised the issue of shortage of Covid vaccines.
Participating in the discussion, Swapan Dasgupta of BJP lauded the government’s welfare measures including free ration to people. He also talked about massive vaccination drive against Covid. Saying country’s economy is resilient, Mr Dasgupta said it has helped in tackling the pandemic challenges.
M Thambi Durai of DMK highlighted the need for greater awareness to deal with this pandemic. Ram Nath Thakur of JD(U) also lauded the Centre’s measures. Ashok Siddharth of BSP, Vandana Chavan of NCP , Sushil Gupta and Vaiko of MDMK among those participated in the discussion.
In the Rajya Sabha, when the house met after second adjournment at 1 P.M., YSR Congress members trooped to the well demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh. Leader of the House, Piyush Goyal urged the agitating members to allow the house to take up discussion on COVID-19 pandemic saying it is an important issue which has affected the entire world.
Amid noisy scenes, the house took up discussion on COVID-19 situation. YSR Congress members continued their protest which forced a brief adjournment of the House till 1.34 P.M.
Earlier, when the house met after first adjournment at 12 noon, members from Congress, TMC, DMK and others again pressed their adjournment motions over Pegasus snooping and other issues and trooped into the well. RJD, Shiv Sena, Left and other Opposition members were also on their feet. YSR Congress members were demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh.
In the morning, Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu disallowed the motions saying there were 17 adjournment motions yesterday and today 15 such motions have been given. He wondered how the chair can allow them at the same time. Congress leader Anand Sharma said, the matter is related to national security and it should be allowed to raise in the house. Congress, TMC, DMK and others came into the well which forced the adjournment of the house till noon.