Bengal govt allots Rs 100 crore to handle emerging Covid-19 situation

Mamata asks poll panel to ensure votes for patients at hospitals

Mamata Banerjee: File picture

Soumya De Sarkar   |  TT  |  Malda   |  22.04.21: The Bengal government has allotted Rs 100 crore to handle the emerging Covid-19 situation in the state, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said here on Wednesday, besides detailing how her administration was ramping up facilities to treat patients.

“We have kept Rs 100 crore ready. It would be spent for the sudden Covid crisis,” Mamata told a news conference here.

During her brief interaction with the media, Mamata repeatedly stressed that the situation in Bengal was well under control and also urged people not to panic, but get vaccinated.

Aware that short supply of vaccines was creating problems in some areas, Mamata said: “At least one crore doses of vaccines are immediately required for residents of the state and a letter has been sent to the Centre.”

She mentioned that 93 lakh residents above the age of 45 years had been jabbed so far in Bengal.

“If we include the second dose, around one crore out of the 10 crore population have been vaccinated. Once the vaccination of around two crore people is complete, we are ready to purchase the doses from the market to vaccinate others. A large stock is required as all above the age of 18 years would start getting the jab from May 1,” said the chief minister.

As of now, around 40,000 people are getting vaccinated in the state every day, she said.

At the news conference, the chief minister also demanded that the Election Commission take steps to ensure that Covid patients under treatment at hospitals could cast their votes.

“Postal ballots should be arranged for them. They should not be deprived of their democratic rights. The EC should improvise the procedure to help these people,” she said.

In the state, the government has already arranged around 2,000 safe-houses where patients can stay. Also, the counselling process for patients over phone has been initiated and specialist doctors are available to help them remain at home or safe houses round the clock, claimed Mamata.

“We have 11,000 beds for Covid patients in the state. The number would be increased by another 2,000 very shortly,” she said.

The administration, she said, has been asked to be vigilant and prevent black-marketing of oxygen cylinders and other items necessary for Covid patients.

On being quizzed as to whether the government was mulling over a lockdown, Mamata ruled out its possibility again.

“Closing down everything is not a solution. We all have to act consciously to curb the infection,” said Mamata.