The Government on Friday denied in the Lok Sabha that there was any evidence of coronavirus having any ‘suspicious origin’ from China as being circulated in the social media and asked Opposition not to “press panic button” even as the Congress sought to say there was spectre of hoarding, and price rise after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address a day before and suggested that the dispensation provides temporary succour to daily wagers, auto-drivers and small vendors.
Asking questions during the question hour on the pandemic coronavirus, members wanted Government to clarify whether it has prescribed Aurvedic or homeopathy medicines for curing the disease of which there was yet no clinical trial. N Uttam Kumar Reddy (Congress) said having issued an advisory the Ayush Ministry contradicted itself saying there was "no known cure to COVID-19."
The member sought to know what advisory Ayush Ministry has given on the issue. Responding to queries, Ayush Minister of State (independent) Shripad Naik said his ministry's advisory never claimed "effective treatment" of coronovirus by Aurveda (or homeopathy) as it has suggested that its treatment may help respiratory and immune system of the patients.
Reacting to the concerns of members, Union Health Minister Harshvardhan said whosoever is being tested, is being tested with "perfect scientific rationale."
At this stage, Manish Tewary (Congress) sought to say that origin of coronavirus is surrounded with suspicion saying World Health Organization (WHO) was not given access to Wuhan in China, the place from where coronavirus first broke out and later affected the global population. Would India speak to the WHO and have the origin of Coronavirus investigated ?",the Congress MP asked and wanted to know "..whether it was naturally originated and not grown out of a scientific experiment ..?"
Responding to Congress member's question, Harshvardhan said his Government was in regular touch with the WHO and any suspicion on the count of the origin of the virus was linked to what was being circulated in the social media platforms like WhatsUp. The Minister said there was "no authenticity" in the report. Hashvarshan said Indian research organisations are in touch with other global organisations on the origin of the virus. He maintained that India was the first to know about the coronavirus on January 8th a day after China established that there was a "new coronavirus" in Wuhan.
Speaking on the Coronavirus issue Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said while his party was with the Prime Minister on the subject, the government should take note of hoarding of essential eatables and general price rise after his address to the nation on Thursday night. Chowdhury suggested that government provide temporary assistance to daily wage earners, auto drivers , security guards , vendors who have been hard-hit by the self-imposed curfew of the people.
The Congress leader said advance wage payments should be made to MNREGA daily wagers.
Intervening from the government aide, Parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi every one should honour the good suggestions given by the Prime Minister in the light of the global crisis. He denied there was any shortage of essential commodities and urged opposition to not to "press panic button".
Chowdhury , however, went on to say that Prime Minister's address " se Bazar main aag lag gayi.." There was an uproar and Congress members were seen walking out of the house. Later, at Zero hour, Speaker Om Birla said Parliament is with PM's resolution and his appeal fora "Janata curfew" on Sunday.
Kanimozhi (DMK) said economically poor section has been the worst hit due to coronavirus pandemic and the Economic task force announced by the Prime Minister should take note of the informal sector which is in duress in the wake of the shut-down.