Senior Congress chief Anand Sharma on Tuesday known as for unity between the Centre and states in preventing the Covid pandemic, saying it’s time for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stroll the speak on cooperative federalism.
His statements got here within the backdrop of some opposition-ruled states accusing the Centre of not lending a serving to hand in procuring vaccines from overseas, and within the bigger combat towards the pandemic.
Sharma stated the coronavirus has hit villages in a giant method within the second wave and the folks of nation are struggling and “feeling let down”.
It shouldn’t be solely a authorized and political obligation, but additionally the ethical duty of the federal government to guard the lives of all Indians, he stated.
“The path of confrontation between heart and states hurts India’s nationwide curiosity. PM Modi has spoken of Cooperative Federalism. It is time to stroll the speak.
“I urge the PM to take the initiative for a dialogue with the Chief Ministers to confront this challenge. In a democracy differences in ideology will remain but these should not become personal. We must all stand united in this time of crisis,” he stated in a sequence of tweets.
Sharma stated democracy is about cooperation and dialogue and simply because the prime minister has a mandate because the elected chief of the nation, the chief ministers of states have a Constitutional mandate which should be recognised.
India is a federal nation and the spirit of the Constitution should be revered, he stated.
Hitting out on the Central authorities, he stated India’s tragedy is {that a} continental dimension nation of this vastness and variety is sought to be “micromanaged” in the course of the unprecedented disaster of a pandemic.
“Centralisation of authority and decisions in one or two offices led to disastrous mismanagement,” he alleged.
Commenting on the vaccination drive, he stated it’s in a shambles and persons are struggling due to this.
“In a democracy, questions will be asked and those in authority made accountable. There is no wisdom in denials and challenging scientists and epidemiologists,” he stated.
Sharma, a member of the group of 23 leaders who had demanded an organisational overhaul throughout the Congress, stated it’s unfair to move the buck and blame states which have been “left powerless as all decisions made by Central government”.
He stated that asking states to import vaccines immediately shouldn’t be bearing fruit. “In a global crisis, how can the states be asked to import vaccines Import-Exports, Customs and Trade policy are central subjects.”
Talking in regards to the varied mutants of the virus, he stated that in a rustic of 140 crore folks, there might be mutations and variants as viruses do modifications in international locations large or small.
“Community transmission is a reality as the raging fires in villages confirms our worst fears,” he stated, and added solely science can meet this problem.
India is pleased with its scientists and the aptitude of its establishments, he stated.
“Acceptance alone can help in course-correction. Accelerated universal vaccination, devolution, empowering the states and investing in public health infrastructure alone can meet the challenge,” he stated.
The every day depend of coronavirus instances within the nation fell under the 2-lakh mark after over a month taking the full tally of COVID-19 instances to 2,69,48,874, whereas the demise toll rose to three,07,231, in line with the Union Health Ministry.
