SECOND MEETING OF RAKSHA MANTRI ON EFFORTS OF MoD AND ARMED FORCES TO FIGHT COVID-19 CRISIS

On April 24, 2021, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh reviewed the efforts of MoD and the armed forces to fight the current COVID-19 crisis. Summary of discussions/ directives are:

• While expressing satisfaction on assistance being provided, RM directed the Armed Forces and other establishments of MoD to further extend assistance to civil administration to tide over present situation.
• DPSUs and OFBs extending all possible assistance to civil administration/state governments in fight against COVID-19 cases across the country.
• DRDO has established another 250 beds at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel COVID hospital in New Delhi and a 1,000-bed hospital in Gujrat. Lucknow facility would become operational by end of month.
• DRDO setting up a 500 Medical Oxygen Plants within three months under PM CARES Fund.
• HAL has established a 180-bed COVID care centre, with ICU, oxygen and ventilator support in Bengaluru. It has handed over another 250-bed facility in Bengaluru, a 70-bed facility in Koraput and a 40-bed hospital in Nasik. It is planning to provide more ventilators and oxygen points at Bangalore and Lucknow.
• OFB providing COVID care services, including oxygen beds, at their facilities in 25 places in Maharashtra, West Bengal, MP, UP, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Odisha and Uttarakhand.
• Several DPSUs have fast-tracked procurement of oxygen plants.
• MoD has given extension to SSC doctors in AFMS till December 31, 2021. Additional contractual staff in 51 ECHS polyclinics approved.
• Base Hospital at Delhi Cantonment converted into a Covid hospital with facilities for providing critical care to all incoming patients.
• IAF moving oxygen tankers and plants from abroad as well as within the country. IAF transport aircraft C-17, C-130J, IL-76, An-32 and Avro; and helicopters Chinook and Mi-17 are carrying out these tasks. Tasks undertaken include airlift of doctors and nursing staff from Kochi, Mumbai, Vizag and Bangalore for various hospitals at Delhi.
• Approval granted for deployment of those who have recently retired from AFMS.
• Approval granted for emergency financial powers to AFMS.