The CM of West Bengal said this during a virtual meeting chaired by PM Modi.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that the number of Covid-19 cases in the state may increase due to the upcoming festivals, noting that the administration is fully prepared to deal with it.
Ms. Banerjee was speaking in a Virtual meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors of States and Union Territories were present to review the COVID-19 situation in the country.
“The Chief Minister of West Bengal spoke about the possible increase in cases in the state due to the upcoming festivals and the preparedness of the administration to deal with it,” an official release said.
West Bengal is hosting it Gangasagar Mela Lakhs of pilgrims are expected to take a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganges and the Bay of Bengal on January 14 at Sagar Island in the state’s South 24 Parganas district. Makar Sankranti,
a Calcutta High Court A division bench of Chief Justice Prakash Srivastava and Justice Kesong Doma Bhutia allowed the annual fair to be held from January 8 to 16 and ordered that the entire Sagar Island be declared a notified area.
The bench also constituted a two-member committee comprising former Justice Samasti Chatterjee and member secretary of West Bengal Legal Services Authority to monitor the adherence to COVID-19 norms at the fair.
The Bench ordered that all the pilgrims should be fully vaccinated and test negative for COVID-19 in the RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hours before reaching the venue.
During the meeting, the Chief Ministers thanked the PM for his leadership during the successive waves of COVID-19.
He especially thanked the Prime Minister for his support and guidance and for the funds provided by the Central Government, which has been very helpful in boosting the health infrastructure in the states. Talked about the preparedness for the same, such as steps to increase beds, availability of oxygen etc.,” said the release issued by the Press Information Bureau.
Addressing the meeting, the Prime Minister said that India’s battle with the biggest pandemic in 100 years has now entered its third year.
“Hard work is our only way and victory is our only option. We, the 130 crore people of India, will surely emerge victorious against Corona with our efforts,” the release quoted Mr Modi as saying.
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