Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, R Sakkarapani and Minister for Forests K Ramachandran participate in a consultative meeting to combat Covid-19 in Coimbatore.
Coimbatore: A consultative meeting was held at the Coimbatore Industrial Structure Society venue in Avarampalayam on Thursday between Government officials and Industrialists on Covid-19 prevention measures. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, R Sakkarapani and Minister for Forests, K Ramachandran.
Government officials briefed on safety measures that have been taken to combat Covid-19 in Coimbatore and industrialists are expected to voice their opinions on facing the challenges that lie ahead.
Eight AIADMK MLAs from Coimbatore district, including former Minister S P Velumani were present at the meeting. A petition is also expected to be filed regarding Covid-19 prevention measures and requirements for Coimbatore.
Minister for Forests, K Ramachandran in his address said, "The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has ordered to identify the problems related to Covid-19 in Coimbatore district and take action regarding them. He has instructed us to work against Covid-19 irrespective of whether we belong to the ruling party or the opposition."
Former AIADMK Minister, S P Velumani also opined that, "Immediate action is needed to increase vaccination drives across Coimbatore district. We are ready to provide full cooperation to the authorities and the Government. Private hospitals should also be provided with adequate oxygen without any restrictions. Steps should be also taken to obtain oxygen molecules from Kerala and provide adequate supply of Remidesvir vials, as well as additional supplements for remedies. We are ready to provide 100 percent cooperation," he added.
In his elaborate address to those gathered at the meeting, the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Minister R Sakkarapani said, "The impact of the second wave is greater than the first wave of Covid-19. People come to Coimbatore hospitals not only from Coimbatore but also from other districts and Palakkad for treatment. So necessary medical arrangements have to be made accordingly. The second wave is the most brutal. This is why the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is taking various measures expeditiously to contain it."
"We are having a discussion with industrialists before imposing lockdown since they will be affected by it. We had urged Union Minister Piyush Goyal to increase the amount of oxygen coming into Tamil Nadu and have got extra oxygen supply for the state. Oxygen from the Sterlite plant is also expected to arrive in Coimbatore district soon. Thus far, the Central Government has provided 280 BEL of oxygen, which has been increased to 419 BEL by the action of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Opposition MLAs will be consulted and necessary action will be taken to tackle Covid-19. We must all work together to protect the people from the pandemic," reiterated R Sakkarapani.
He also added that steps will be taken to prevent crowding for buying Remidesvir vials in Coimbatore. "The Chief Minister has said that the Covid-19 relief fund will be fully utilized only for Covid-19 prevention activities, so business owners in Coimbatore should come forward to provide relief funds. Investment subsidy for small and medium enterprises is Rs. 125 crores which is to be disbursed immediately. SIDCO has extended the 6-month grace period for businesses to pay rent. The banks have also been asked to extend the monthly repayment period for auto and taxi drivers," said R Sakkarapani.
Government officials briefed on safety measures that have been taken to combat Covid-19 in Coimbatore and industrialists are expected to voice their opinions on facing the challenges that lie ahead.
Eight AIADMK MLAs from Coimbatore district, including former Minister S P Velumani were present at the meeting. A petition is also expected to be filed regarding Covid-19 prevention measures and requirements for Coimbatore.
Minister for Forests, K Ramachandran in his address said, "The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has ordered to identify the problems related to Covid-19 in Coimbatore district and take action regarding them. He has instructed us to work against Covid-19 irrespective of whether we belong to the ruling party or the opposition."
Former AIADMK Minister, S P Velumani also opined that, "Immediate action is needed to increase vaccination drives across Coimbatore district. We are ready to provide full cooperation to the authorities and the Government. Private hospitals should also be provided with adequate oxygen without any restrictions. Steps should be also taken to obtain oxygen molecules from Kerala and provide adequate supply of Remidesvir vials, as well as additional supplements for remedies. We are ready to provide 100 percent cooperation," he added.
In his elaborate address to those gathered at the meeting, the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Minister R Sakkarapani said, "The impact of the second wave is greater than the first wave of Covid-19. People come to Coimbatore hospitals not only from Coimbatore but also from other districts and Palakkad for treatment. So necessary medical arrangements have to be made accordingly. The second wave is the most brutal. This is why the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is taking various measures expeditiously to contain it."
"We are having a discussion with industrialists before imposing lockdown since they will be affected by it. We had urged Union Minister Piyush Goyal to increase the amount of oxygen coming into Tamil Nadu and have got extra oxygen supply for the state. Oxygen from the Sterlite plant is also expected to arrive in Coimbatore district soon. Thus far, the Central Government has provided 280 BEL of oxygen, which has been increased to 419 BEL by the action of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Opposition MLAs will be consulted and necessary action will be taken to tackle Covid-19. We must all work together to protect the people from the pandemic," reiterated R Sakkarapani.
He also added that steps will be taken to prevent crowding for buying Remidesvir vials in Coimbatore. "The Chief Minister has said that the Covid-19 relief fund will be fully utilized only for Covid-19 prevention activities, so business owners in Coimbatore should come forward to provide relief funds. Investment subsidy for small and medium enterprises is Rs. 125 crores which is to be disbursed immediately. SIDCO has extended the 6-month grace period for businesses to pay rent. The banks have also been asked to extend the monthly repayment period for auto and taxi drivers," said R Sakkarapani.