Modi also emphasised on the need for coordination between the Centre and the states to contain the spread of the outbreak, which has claimed thousands of lives and infected hundreds of thousands more. Twelve states have more than 100,000 active Covid-19 patients each.
Sources said Modi called Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray to discuss the status of the pandemic and efforts being made to fight it. Thackeray’s office later tweeted that the prime minister commended the state’s efforts. Thackeray requested the Centre to provide more linkages for procurement of oxygen, shared information about the measures and plans under way to deal with the situation.
According to the tweet, Thackeray thanked the PM for “continuous guidance and for accepting various requests made by the state”.
He had written to the PM on the issue, saying Maharashtra intended to open up vaccination for the 18-44 age group, and the fear among people that the CoWin App may crash when the programme is opened up for the young as it did on May 1 and the need to develop a state-level app.
Modi also called up newly elected Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, who has soon after taking over imposed a 14-day lockdown till May 24.
Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, meanwhile, appreciated the effort made by the PM and his guidance in the Covid-19 fightback. In a series of tweets, Chouhan said the availability of Remdesivir, the status of the vaccination drive, the supply of medical oxygen and plants being built for producing it were discussed in detail.
The prime minister expressed satisfaction at the progress and promised all help, Chouhan said.
Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jairam Thakur also said on social media that the prime minister had sought to know about the availability of hospital beds and vaccination drive in the hill state.