Union Minister Piyush Goyal has advised states to keep the medical oxygen “demand under control” by containing the rapid second coronavirus wave.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal, amid a dire shortage of medical oxygen across the country, has advised states to keep the “demand under control” by containing the rapid second coronavirus wave that has triggered an unprecedented spurt in cases.
“State governments should keep demand (for medical oxygen) under control. The demand-side management is as important as the supply-side management. Containing COVID-19 spread is the responsibility of state governments and they should fulfil this responsibility,” Mr Goyal was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
“If cases continue to rise unlimitedly, then it will pose a major challenge for the healthcare infrastructure of the country. We are with state governments, but they need to manage the demand and take concrete steps to contain COVID-19 spread,” the BJP leader said.
The union minister also advised states to avoid wastage of oxygen.
State governments should keep demand (for medical oxygen) under control. Demand-side management is as important as supply-side management. Containing COVID spread is the responsibility of state governments & they should fulfil this responsibility: Union Minister Piyush Goyal pic.twitter.com/fdpr9bwDcT
— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2021
Opposition leaders were quick to target Mr Goyal over his comments.
AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi took a sly dig at the union minister. “Every hospital is choked. Healthcare staff is overwhelmed. People are cremating & burying their dear ones without even the chance to help them. For over a year your govt did nothing to improve healthcare infra. Now people should stop breathing? Gravity babu, gyan dena band karo,” Mr Owaisi said.
Every hospital is choked
Healthcare staff is overwhelmed
People are cremating & burying their dear ones without even the chance to help them
For over a year your govt did nothing to improve healthcare infra
Now people should stop breathing?
Gravity babu, gyan dena band karo https://t.co/icdfBemV7H pic.twitter.com/PXUZGilmdt
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) April 18, 2021
AAP’s Preeti Sharma Menon even demanded Mr Goyal to be booked for his comments. “Why should Piyush Goyal not be charged under the Pandemic Act? He is cruel, insensitive and literally asking state governments to deprive patients of oxygen. He is just a sophisticated Sambhaji Bhide,” Ms Menon said.
Why should @PiyushGoyal not be charged under the #PandemicAct? He is cruel, insensitive and literally asking state governments to deprive patients of oxygen.
He is just a sophisticated #SambhajiBhide https://t.co/isSSVHWOlk
— Preeti Sharma Menon (@PreetiSMenon) April 18, 2021
Rajasthan Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot also condemned the comments by Mr Goyal. “I condemn this insensitive statement of Mr. Piyush Goyal in the difficult time of the Covid pandemic. State governments need Oxygen for patients admitted to their hospitals, not for their private use,” Mr Gehlot said in a tweet.
I condemn this insensitive statement of Mr. Piyush Goyal in the difficult time of the Covid pandemic. State governments need Oxygen for patients admitted to their hospitals, not for their private use. https://t.co/C46l1Rl6qd
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) April 18, 2021
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