Coronavirus | Uddhav Thackeray’s call on oxygen ignored by Narendra Modi

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray reportedly tried to talk to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 17 in regards to the extreme oxygen scarcity within the State, however couldn’t get by way of, as a result of the latter was campaigning in West Bengal, sources within the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) stated.

“The CM called the Prime Minister at about 10:30 a.m. this morning; this was his third attempt since yesterday to speak to Mr. Modi but we were told that he is busy campaigning in West Bengal and will return the call once he is back,” a supply in CMO stated.

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However, the Union authorities on April 17 stated it was “shocked and saddened to see petty politics being played” over the problem of oxygen scarcity by Mr Thackeray.

Mr. Modi addressed two rallies in West Bengal on April 17 — in Asansol and Gangarampur.

Two day in the past, Mr. Thackeray had written to Mr. Modi looking for his intervention in guaranteeing provide of Remidisivir and permission to airlift oxygen from northeastern States to Maharashtra, which is going through a scarcity.

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The lack of response from the PMO has offered contemporary ammunition to the Opposition to criticise the federal government’s negligent behaviour. Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi in a tweet stated, “We will wait Hon. PM, for your election campaigning and rallies to conclude for an urgent intervention to save lives. But those who need Remdesevir and Oxygen may not have the luxury of time sir. PS: *EPIDEMIC IS AN EMERGENCY& NOT THE ELECTION.*”

Speaking at a press convention in Delhi, senior Congress chief P. Chidambaram additionally lashed out at Mr. Modi saying that he ought to have been at his desk coordinating with the State governments as a substitute of campaigning in West Bengal.

“The PM should be at his desk, accessible to every CM of this country. Chief Ministers can’t be speaking to private secretary of the Prime Minister,” the previous Finance Minister stated.

The authorities, he stated, ought to have deliberate upfront for scaling up the oxygen provide. There is sufficient capability on this nation to provide medical oxygen. “Why did the Prime Minister and his team ignore the fact that oxygen supply will become critical when the numbers double. They had a whole year to prepare for the second wave,” Mr. Chidambaram stated.

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Trinamool Congress chief Derek O’ Brien tweeted, “Shocker. Maharashtra CM @OfficeofUT called Modi requesting for urgent supply of oxygen for his State. Was informed that the PM busy campaigning in Bengal. Will respond on his return,”

Adding to the controversy, NCP chief and Minister within the Uddhav Thackeray authorities, Nawab Malik, alleged that suppliers of Remidisivir injection have been particularly advised by the central authorities to not provide the drugs to Maharashtra and as a substitute divert it to Gujarat.

“Around 16 exporters are sitting on a storage of 20 lakh vials of Remidisivir. When the State government inquired about the supply, they informed that central government has prohibited them to supply the medicine to Maharashtra and has even threatened to cancel their permit if they do so,” stated Mr. Malik. He stated trying on the scarcity of the drugs inside the State, authorities will probably be left with no possibility however to grab complete storage.

He introduced a letter from the Commissioner. Food & Drug Control Administration of Gujarat addressed to M/s BDR Lifesciences Pvt Ltd based mostly in Vadodara directing the corporate to produce and commerce Remidisivir solely in Gujarat.

Govt rebuts CM

Hitting again at Mr. Thackeray, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal in a strongly worded assertion said he was “saddened to see Uddhav Thackeray’s gimmicks” on the problem of oxygen provide and added that Mr. Thackeray wanted to “stop his daily dose of shameless politics and take responsibility.”

“Government of India, with all stakeholders, is ensuring maximum oxygen production in India. We are currently producing 110% of oxygen generating capacity and diverting all available oxygen from industrial use to medical use,” Mr. Goyal stated. He added that Maharashtra had to date acquired the very best amount of oxygen in India and that the Centre was co-ordinating each day with States to evaluate wants and guarantee assist.

He additionally revealed that the Prime Minister in his conferences to overview oxygen availability and so forth. had harassed on synergy with State governments.

“Maharashtra is suffering from an inept and corrupt government and the Centre is doing its best for the people. People of Maharashtra are following ‘Majha Kutumbh, Majhi Javabdari’ (my family, my responsibility) dutifully. It is time the CM of the State also follows his duty in the spirit of ‘Majha Rajya, Majhi Javabdari’ (my State, my responsibility),” the Minister added.

Government sources advised The Puucho that the sharp response had come after many days of “accusations and allegations” by Maharashtra leaders within the Maha Vikas Aghadi authorities.

Terming the actions a diversionary tactic from the State’s personal “poor handling” of the COVID-19 pandemic “every time it comes under fire”. Sources stated “when the CM of Maharashtra went down to the level of putting petty and untrue allegations against the Prime Minister, Ministers had to give a factual position. Our response should not be construed as just a tit-for-tat but a factual response,” stated the supply.