Lok Sabha on Sunday debated the Covid-19 scenario across the country with the initiator of the debate RSP MP NK Premachandran, ironically, unable to attend as he tested positive on Saturday.
Opposition MPs highlighted many lapses in the administration for the past six months to tackle the pandemic and blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for declaring lockdown within four hours, leading to chaos and miseries in public and migrant labourers fleeing back to their home towns from their work places.
BJP MPs countered the Opposition charges and highlighted the faults in administration in the Opposition-ruled states like Maharashtra. Opening up the debate, Speaker Om Birla assured that he will give chance to all MPs and urged them to bring out the problems faced in their constituencies. “This debate should be specific. Come with your experiences,” he said, opening the floor for the more than four hour long debate.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor highlighted the lacunas in the health administration of the country in tackling the pandemic and blamed the Government for having no data on this regard. He charged the Government with creating disasters in economy, administration and employment losses during the pandemic due to non-consultative nature with the Opposition parties. “The creation of a Government-made disaster laid the foundations for the widespread distress and anguish that followed a series of events that should haunt each of us and has tarnished this Government’s moral standing.
“Across the country, we know about the long lines that immediately sprung up outside our kirana shops as shocked citizens queued up to purchase critical rations to see this period through. Thousands took to our bus depots and railway stations. People made desperate attempts to make it back to their respective homes. Businessmen and women who had travelled to other cities for meetings were stranded by the PM’s high-handed actions and those overseas suddenly were left with no way to return back to the country,” said Tharoor inviting counters from BJP.
Opposition MPs including Karti Chidambaram critcised Prime Minister for “unscientific” measures like lighting and hitting on plates from balconies.
BJP MPs, including Kirit Premjibhai Solanki, highlighted the slew of measures implemented by the Centre to tackle the pandemicand accused the Opposition of “involving in just blame games.”
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Health Minister Harsh Vardhan were always in touch with all opposition leaders and Chief Ministers across the country and improvising measures on a regular basis. “Everybody was united.
In Hyderabad, Owaisi and RSS were united in the field to serve people.
It is unfair that you criticizing us unnecessarily,” said Dubey urging the Opposition MPs to consult their Chief Ministers before leveling allegations.
