Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday interacted via video conferencing with chief ministers of eight states that are witnessing a surge in coronavirus cases to review the Covid-19 situation. Eight states participated in the meeting and briefed the PM about the situation in their respective regions and their plans to curb the spread of the virus.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani participated in the meeting. Home Minister Amit Shah and Health Minister Harsh Vardhan were also present during the conference.

Pollution the key reason behind Delhi’s third wave: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asked Modi to intervene into the issue of stubble burning in neighbouring states to curb the spread of Covid-19 in Delhi, asserting that pollution was a key factor behind the spike of cases during the third wave of the infection in the national capital.

"The high severity of the third wave is due to many factors. Pollution is an important factor. The chief minister sought the prime minister's intervention to get rid of the pollution caused by stubble-burning in adjoining states, especially in view of the recent bio-decomposer technique," a source said.

According to sources, Kejriwal told the PM that the number of Covid-19 cases as well as the positivity rate were steadily declining since November 10, when Delhi recorded a peak of 8,600 cases during the third wave.

He also asked for the reservation of the additional 1,000 ICU beds in hospitals run by the Centre in Delhi for Covid-19 patients till the third wave of infections subsided.

Modi’s talk with Mamata

In the meeting with the Prime Minister, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the coronavirus situation is being handled aptly in her state.

"The chief minister briefed the PM that the COVID-19 situation in West Bengal is under control," an official said.

Banerjee also reminded Modi of the non- payment of Goods and Services Tax (GST) dues to several states, the official added.

Maharashtra government’s task force

CM Uddhav Thackeray (right) at the virtual meeting with Narendra Modi. Twitter /@CMOMaharashtra

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray told Modi that a task force had been set up in the state to manage the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines and the process through which it will be administered.

"A task force has been set up to manage the distribution and vaccination in Maharashtra and the government is in constant touch with Adar Poonawalla of the Serum Institute of India to track development of the coronavirus vaccine," an official statement said quoting the CM.

Poonawalla is the CEO of the Serum Institute of India, which has partnered with AstraZeneca for manufacturing the Oxford vaccine for COVID-19.

“CM Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray informed the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi about the various steps taken to curb the spread of coronavirus in the state, during a video conference held this morning,” the Maharashtra CMO tweeted.

Situation ‘under control’ in Gujarat

Chief Minister Vijay rupani on Tuesday told Modi that the virus situation in his state is under control and enough beds are available in Gujarat.

"The CM has assured the PM that the situation is under control and enough number of beds are available in the state for coronavirus patients," an official press release said.

Rupani also briefed the PM about the various steps taken by the Gujarat government to curb the spread of Covid-19, including imposition of night curfew in multiple cities and the identification of patients through increased testing.

“The CM said the night curfew in the four cities will remain in effect until the situation comes under control,” the release said.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani (in red) with delegates, at the meeting. Twitter/ @CMOGuj

Ashok Gehlot on situation in Rajasthan

In the video conference with the Prime Minister, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot said his administration has increased testing and strengthened infrastructure to control the spread of coronavirus.

Gehlot briefed the PM about the ban on firecrackers, law on wearing of masks, night curfew in worst-hit districts and the restrictions on gatherings, while highlighting the measures taken by the state, said sources.

The CM also informed Modi about bettering the infrastructure through oxygen generation plants, increase in the number of ICUs and oxygen beds in hospitals, the sources added.

Telangana ready for vaccine

The Telangana government is ready with an action plan to administer vaccines on citizens, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao said on Tuesday.

"People are eagerly waiting for the vaccine. A scientifically approved vaccine is the need of the hour. The Telangana state government is ready to distribute and administer the vaccine to people on a priority basis. Accordingly, we have drawn up an action plan. However, one has to take into consideration whether the vaccine has any side effects," Rao said in the conference.