Covid Second Wave: PM Modi Cancels WB Visit To Chair 3 High-Level Meetings, Will Address Virtual Rally Instead

Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier today held a review meeting amid complaints on oxygen supply. During this meeting, the officials apprised the Prime Minister of the steps taken in the last few weeks to improve the supply of medical oxygen.

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New Delhi: As the country continues to battle the grave Covid-19 situation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has canceled his West Bengal visit slated to happen on Friday. The Prime Minister will instead be chairing high-level meetings on the prevailing circumstances.

West Bengal on Thursday underwent its Phase 6 polling and two phases of assembly elections are remaining to be held.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and wrote: "Tomorrow, will be chairing high-level meetings to review the prevailing Covid-19 situation. Due to that, I would not be going to West Bengal".

As per the latest inputs, PM Modi will review Coronavirus situation in an internal meeting tomorrow, at 9 am. He will also interact with the Chief Ministers of high burden states over the prevailing Covid situation, at 10 am, and hold a virtual meeting with leading oxygen manufacturers in the country, at 12:30 pm.

The Prime Minister, being one of BJP's prime campaigners in the heated West Bengal election, was reportedly scheduled to hold 4 public meetings in the state. He will instead be conducting a virtual rally at 5 PM tomorrow.

This comes as India continues to battle a serious Coronavirus situation and opposition leaders questioned PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah over their rallies attracting huge gatherings while cases in the state show a serious upward spike.

India's total tally of Coronavirus cases rose to 1,59,30,965 with 3,14,835 new infections being reported in a day, crossing the dreadful 3-lakh mark. Active cases have increased to 22,91,428, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.

The death toll increased to 1,84,657 with a record 2,104 new fatalities. The number of people who have recovered from the disease surged to 1,34,54,880.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier today held a review meeting amid complaints on oxygen supply. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) issued a statement revealing that the Prime Minister stressed on the need to work at a fast pace to increase the production of oxygen, speed up its delivery and ensure its access to health facilities.

During this meeting, the officials apprised the Prime Minister of the steps taken in the last few weeks to improve the supply of medical oxygen.

"The PM was informed that exercise is being done in coordination with states to identify their demand for O2 and ensure adequate supply. Against present demand from 20 states of 6,785 MT/day of Liquid Medical Oxygen, GoI, from April 21, has allocated 6,822 MT/day to these states," PMO stated.

(With Agency Inputs)