Sonia Gandhi Slams Modi Govt Over COVID Crisis; Urges Vaccination & Income Support To Citizens

Chairing a meet of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) to take stock of the situation in States ruled by Congress, Sonia Gandhi expressed concern over worsening COVID situation. She appealed to the centre o reduce the age limit for vaccination to 25 years and provide monthly income support to every eligible citizen's account.

Sonia Gandhi

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday criticised Modi government over its “gross unpreparedness” and “adhocism” in tackling the COVID-19 crisis.

Chairing a meet of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) to take stock of the situation in States ruled by Congress, Sonia Gandhi expressed concern over worsening situation and said "despite a year to prepare, Centre is caught off guard as the second wave of coronavirus hit."

The Congress veteran made a slew of suggestions to the Centre to deal with the pandemic such as to reduce the age limit for vaccination to 25 years and provide monthly income support to every eligible citizen's account.

"It is imperative to provide monthly income support and transfer an amount of Rs 6,000 to every eligible citizen's account. We made this request to the government earlier also," Gandhi said.

Slamming government over shortage of life-saving drugs like Remdesivir and COVID-19 vaccine, the 74-year-old leader said that vaccine export should be limited and priority should be given to Indian citizens.

"India has already exported nearly 6.5 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses to other countries. Considering the highest infection rate in the world in our own country, shouldn't vaccine export be held back & priority given to our citizens?"

The Congress leader also hit out the government over GST levied on drugs such as Remdesivir and medical oxygen.

"It is a matter of great concern that life-saving drugs like Remdesivir, medical oxygen and also other basic supplements are subjected to GST at 12%. Even basic equipment like oximeters and ventilators are subjected to 20% GST. During my talk, our chief ministers felt that as a preliminary measure, all equipment, medicines and support required to prevent and treat COVID-19 should be made free from GST," Sonia said.

Her remarks came as India’s daily new cases continue to rise. According to the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry, 2,34,692 new cases were registered in the last 24 hours. Ten states, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan, report 79.32 per cent of the new cases.