A day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s crucial meet with Chief Ministers, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Friday held a meeting with officials of the 11 Empowered Groups to tackle the challenges emerging as a result of spread of COVID-19.
The officers’ group under the chairmanship of PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to PM, reviewed mainly on supply chain and logistics management for availability of necessary items, efforts undertaken for the benefit of stakeholders involved and steps to assist farmers harvest their produce while maintaining social distancing.
The review also focused on the confidence building measures and expressed satisfaction on the adherence to the states on maintaining the protocols suggested by Ministry of Home Affairs. As per statistics as many as 1,45,916 samples have been tested, said PMO in a statement.
“It was informed that all Chief Secretaries of States were issued instructions to arrange for shelter for the vulnerable groups like migrants and homeless. Also, Centre is in constant touch with States and District level monitoring is being undertaken. The production of PPEs is being ramped up and capacity building for healthcare personnel is being ensured. NGOs and Civil Society groups are also being mobilized. Principal Secretary suggested that coordination with NGOs at district level be done to avoid overlaps and ensure efficacious utilization of resources.
“The progress of roll out of welfare measures through the economic relief package under PM Garib Kalyan Yojana was also reviewed. Principal Secretary underlined that data sanctity was important to ensure that the benefits reach out to all the intended beneficiaries,” said the statement, adding that review also felt that the enhancement of roll-out of Aarogya Sethu App further.