'Lockdown Only Weapon Against Coronavirus, Decision After Consulting All Stakeholders,' Says RS Prasad | ABP E-Shikhar Sammelan

Social media platforms should not be allowed to promote communal violence or a single political idea, the IT minister warned while stressing on how Digital India has strengthened the country.

File Image: Union Minister RS Prasad

New Delhi: Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on ABP News's e-Shikhar Sammelan on Friday, said that a decision on restrictions in the country will be taken comprehensively after taking suggestions from every stakeholder. On the question on lockdown extension, Prasad said that a pandemic like Coronavirus comes in hundreds of years. "Right now, there is no medicine for it, lockdown and prayers, are the only solution," he said. The decision on restrictions will be taken comprehensively after taking the opinion from various stakeholders, said the minister. The country has prevented more deaths because of the lockdown which was implemented in time. While saving lives we also have to continue with livelihood, Prasad added. Prasad who also holds Electronics and Information Technology and Communications portfolios, said that digital India in such a difficult time has helped India become stronger and the government has run the country with complete honesty. “We have run the country with honest people. There is a need to take actions that are visible and not question the motive of the government. We have taken several measures on a daily basis to fight the situation. We believe in positive criticism,” says the minister while elaborating on various measures taken by the government. Watch: Dawa Nahi, Dua aur Lockdown Aayega Kaam: Ravi Shankar| e-Shikhar Sammelan Full Interview From sending ration subsidy, MNREGA payment to the bank and managed to send Rs 11 lakh crore into the bank account so far through digital media. In such times Digital India has played a crucial role. “With this, we have been able to save around Rs 1 lakh 70 crore, which otherwise gets lost due to the middle man.  We have been able to send money to lakhs of people.  E-learning, telemedicine has also been incorporated in the realms of things to make sure that the economy keeps running,” he added. On the migrant issue, he said, “We are still finding solutions even as we face the challenges going forward and also open to new ideas to tackle the situation at our best.” The minister once again clarified that it was not an unplanned move and more deaths would have occurred otherwise. On the suggestion to run trains and not busses for the migrant, he said the government had taken the suggestions positively and started several trains to ensure migrants reach safely. On the utilisation of social media for the benefit of the country, he said actions were taken when the mob lynching issue come to our notice on social media, the minister said. Social media platforms should not promote a single political idea, the minister warned.