PM Modi praises Yogi government's efforts to rein in Corona outbreak

LUCKNOW/KANPUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Uttar Pradesh, with a population density equivalent to four European nations, would have witnessed a coronavirus explosion with a spiralling death toll if the Yogi Adityanath-led government hadn’t taken the right steps at the right time.
Speaking during the virtual launch of the PM Gareeb Kalyan Rozgar Scheme for the employment of 1.25 crore people, Modi also underlined the need to continue the battle against the virus.“No one knows when the pandemic will be controlled or when a vaccine will eventually be manufactured,” the PM said, adding the only medicine for the disease is adequate precautions, like maintaining physical distancing and wearing masks.
Modi lauded the UP government’s pro-active approach in restricting Covid deaths to just over 600, which, he said, would have otherwise crossed 85,000.
The PM said the Covid toll in four developed European countries — France, Spain, Italy and UK — with a combined population equal to UP crossed 1.3 lakh, while India’s most populous state witnessed just over 600 deaths. He also referred to the United States, with a population of 33 crore, recording 1.25 lakh Covid deaths.
“Today, if we are saving lives, then it’s a matter of great satisfaction and a confidence booster. UP has done a service to the country by curtailing deaths triggered by the pandemic,” Modi said, hailing the Yogi government for turning a challenge into an opportunity.
The PM also interacted with a labourer, Deepu of Vardh village, in Dakor area of Jalaun, and assured him of all possible help through various government schemes.
Modi also hailed the state government for providing adequate food to migrants and the needy, who were hit by the lockdown.