Covid-19 fightback: Here's what 8 CMs told PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today chaired a high-level meeting with chief ministers of all States and UTs via video conferencing, to review the status and preparedness of COVID-19 response and management. 

Special emphasis on the meeting was on eight high focus states of Haryana, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat and West Bengal. The modalities of Covid-19 vaccine delivery, distribution and administration were also discussed during the meeting. Here's what the chief ministers told the Prime Minister

Shivraj Singh Chouhan 
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister

"We are ready with cold chain storage facilities for the vaccine. Training of healthcare workers who'll administer vaccine is underway. As soon as we get the vaccine, vaccination will be started. Appeal to people to continue following all COVID19 guidelines."

Manohar Lal Khattar
Haryana Chief Minister

"We were asked to prepare a list of who will be provided the vaccine first. The vaccine will be given as per category -- health workers will be given first preference and then we will provide it to other categories."

Ashok Gehlot
Rajasthan Chief Minister

"The state is doing 100 per cent testing by RT PCR which is credible. The testing has been increased from 18,000 samples per day (Sept-Oct) to 30,000 plus now. Creation and strengthening of hospital infra such as oxygen generation plants, laying of oxygen pipelines, purchase of oxygen concentration plants, Storage plants, increase in ICU and Oxygen beds have also been done"

Uddhav Thackeray
Maharashtra Chief Minister

"State government is in touch with a few manufacturers of the vaccine. State government has formed an effective task force to ensure distribution of the same."
 

Jagan Mohan Reddy
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister

"Government and the entire machinery will fully co-operate with the Centre and all other stakeholders for effective distribution of the vaccine. A task force has been formed for the smooth augmentation."
 

Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister

"We are ready to work with the Centre and all the stakeholders to ensure speedy and universal vaccination for everyone as soon as the vaccine is available. Numbers are on the rise and Bengal is a sensitive state with borders with Bangladesh and Bhutan. Increase in these countries impacts Bengal. Thankfully, the mortality rate is much lower than the other parts of the country."

Vijay Rupani
Gujarat Chief Minister

"Gujarat is fully prepared. 82 percent out of a total of 55000 isolation beds are still available. Testing -- both RT-PCR and RAT -- is being done agressively.
 

Pinarayi Vijayan
Kerala Chief Minister

"We seek release of GST compensation to deal with our financial needs. There should be flexibility in use of SDRF funds so more can be included like families who have lost their loved ones due to the pandemic."