India Coronavirus Cases: Fight against the pandemic is a “national challenge that should be kept above politics,” Smt. Sonia Gandhi said in a statement after the online meeting.

Sharp criticism came from Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi over the government’s handling of second Covid wave, at an online meeting of top party leaders where she said that India has “regrettably been caught off guard again despite a year to prepare”. Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over “thundering silence” amid repeated appeals about medical oxygen, hospital beds and vaccines, the Congress President stressed that “Immunization age should be reduced to 25”.

Following is the full text of the Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi’s Opening Remarks at the CWC Meeting on April 17, 2021

The Indian National Congress has always believed that fighting the Covid-19 pandemic is a national challenge that should be kept above party politics. We have extended our hands of cooperation right from February-March, 2020.

We cannot, however, lose sight of the fact that the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has hit the country with fury. Despite a year to prepare, we have, regrettably, been caught off guard again. Families are being torn apart, lives & livelihoods have been lost and entire life savings depleted on healthcare. It is deeply concerning to read news reports of acute shortages of medical equipment and hospital beds. Reports from across the country speak of the scarcity of Covid-19 vaccine as also of important life-saving drugs, including Remdesivir in different parts of the country.

It is in these challenging and emergent times that we, the Members of the Congress Working Committee, meet again.

Let me first of all extend our profound sense of grief and sorrow to the many thousands of families who have lost their loved ones over the past year to the pandemic. Their pain and anguish is our pain and anguish. Let me also reiterate our deepest sense of gratitude to and support for the frontline health workers and the medical fraternity who have been rendering phenomenal service in the face of the severest of pressures and risks. We salute their sense of duty and dedication.

Recently, I had a detailed discussion with the Chief Ministers of the States ruled by the Congress Party as also Ministers, where Congress is in alliance government, to take stock of the emergent situation from them. What transpired was, the gross unpreparedness and avoidable adhocism on part of the Modi Government in foreseeing, evaluating and managing the crisis.

I have written to the Prime Minister after meeting with them. Our Chief Ministers have spoken to the Prime Minister and written to the concerned minister from time-to-time pleading for relief. Some of them were left with only a few days of vaccine, no oxygen or ventilators.

But there has been thundering silence on the part of the Government. On the contrary, some other states have received preferential treatment/relief. Instead of listening to the constructive suggestions of the opposition, Union Ministers are pressed into service to attack leaders of opposition for giving those suggestions. This convoluted “Me versus You” debate is childish and totally unnecessary.

It is true that after months of denial, the Central Government has now given emergency use authorization for vaccines developed elsewhere.

Better late than never.

India has already exported nearly 6.5 crore Covid-19 vaccine dosages to other countries. Considering the highest infection rate in the world in our own country, shouldn’t vaccine export be held back and priority be given to protect our citizens? How is boasting about our generosity to other countries going to help the thousands of our people who are dying?

Government must also reconsider its priority for vaccine candidates by reducing the immunization age to 25 years and above as also all younger persons with at-risk health disorders like asthma, angina, diabetes, kidney & liver diseases and other similar ailments.

In the course of my talks with our Chief Ministers, the question of GST came up. They felt that as a preliminary measure, all equipments, instruments, medicines and support required to prevent and treat Covid-19 should be made free from GST. It is a matter of grave concern that life-saving drugs like Remdesivir etc. and medical oxygen as also other basic supplements are subjected to GST @ 12%. Even basic equipments like Oximeters and life-saving critical equipment like ventilators are subjected to 20% GST. In the current state of affairs, this is inhuman and untenable.

As the Central and State governments move ahead to control the situation by resorting to partial curfews, travel restrictions, closure and lock downs; we will again be restricting economic activity that will hit the already beleaguered people, especially the poor and the daily wagers. It is, therefore, imperative to provide monthly income support and transfer an amount of Rs.6,000/- in every eligible citizen’s account.

Similarly, with reverse migration of labour already having started, it will be critical to immediately address their need of safe transportation as indeed their suitable rehabilitation in host as well as home States.

Let us ensure that the suggestions our party puts forward are considered by the Government of India in the spirit of true democratic traditions. Taking on these challenging times as Indians rather than as political opponents will be true Rajadharma. Jai Hind!

Hon’ble former Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji and Hon’ble former Congress President Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji gave very good suggestions in this crucial meeting. Our Chief Ministers also shared their experience relating to the Covid-19 second wave. After this, CWC approved a statement highlighting the current situation of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country and the need for a comprehensive action plan.

The working Committee asked the Congress Workers and the Leaders throughout the country to come forward with the helping hand towards the poor people of the country, those who are being affected by this pandemic and especially Congress President has given a clear message that it should be on top priority to save the life of the common people, those who are suffering due to this pandemic. CWC also asked the PCCs to set up and strengthen state level control rooms and helplines to assist the needy people, those who are suffering.