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Tag: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

  • Remove GST on life-saving medicines, equipment used in COVID fight: Priyanka Gandhi to government

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday urged the Centre to remove GST on all life-saving medicines and equipment being used in the fight against COVID-19, asserting that charging tax on such items amid the pandemic amounts to “cruelty”.

    Her appeal to the government came ahead of the GST Council meeting, which decides on taxes on goods and services, later on Friday.

    महामारी के समय एंबुलेंस, बेड, वेंटीलेटर, ऑक्सीजन, दवाइयों, वैक्सीन के लिए परेशान हुए लोगों से कोविड संबंधित उत्पादों पर GST वसूलना निर्दयता व असंवेदनशीलता है।आज GST काउंसिल में सरकार को कोविड से लड़ाई में इस्तेमाल हो रही सभी जीवनरक्षक दवाइयों व उपकरणों पर से GST हटाना चाहिए। pic.twitter.com/nSN3lVZi8t
    — Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) May 28, 2021

    Recovering GST on COVID-related products from people who struggled for ambulances, beds, ventilators, oxygen, medicines, vaccines during the pandemic amounts to “cruelty and insensitivity”, Priyanka Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi. “Today, in the GST Council, the government should remove GST on all life-saving medicines and equipment being used in the fight against COVID,” the Congress general secretary said.

    She also attached a list of items being commonly used in the fight against coronavirus and the rate of GST charged on them.

  • Why is India, largest COVID vaccine manufacturer, facing shortage? Priyanka Gandhi Vadra asks Centre

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Why is India, one of the largest manufacturers of vaccines in the world, facing a scarcity today?, asked Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday, hitting out at the Centre for its management of the COVID-19 vaccination process.

    In a video captioned ‘The Government of India owes the people of India answers,’ she asked why the government had placed its first vaccine order only in January this year.

    “Why is India, one of the largest manufacturers of vaccines in the world facing a scarcity today? Why was the first order or vaccines by the government of India placed in January 2021 when other countries began placing their orders in the summer of 2020?”

    She further asked, “Why did our government export six crore vaccines between January and March 2021 while vaccinating only 3.5 crore Indians during the same period of time. The government of India owes the people of India answers. We have to ask them questions and they have to answer us.”

    ALSO READ | Pfizer vaccine should be procured as soon as possible to vaccinate children: Kejriwal

    The Congress leader had criticised the Centre earlier as well for the country’s dearth of COVID-19 vaccines.

    Earlier in April, she had tweeted, “Shocking that while COVID ravages India, from being a vaccine exporter, it has been compelled to become a vaccine importer undoing 70 years of govt effort. @narendramodi: the pilot who had his photo plastered on boarding passes only to press the eject button during an emergency.”

    India has so far administered 20,26,95,874 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines, the Union Health Ministry informed.

    Vaccination centres across the countries have been forced to shut down over the last few days due to a country-wide shortage. Several states, including Punjab, Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Karnataka, among others, have floated global tenders for COVID-19 vaccines.

    ALSO READ | Only PM’s photo on vaccination certificate, responsibility on states: Priyanka’s scathing attack on Modi

    Vaccine manufacturer Moderna has allegedly refused to send vaccines directly to the Punjab government, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh informed last week. Delhi too has received the same response from Pfizer and Moderna.

    Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal informed on Wednesday that Sputnik V makers have agreed to supply vaccines in Delhi.

    Chief Ministers of several states have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to float tenders at the Central level. 

  • ‘Crime against humanity’: Priyanka slams UP govt, SEC for conducting panchayat polls amid COVID crisis

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Slamming the Uttar Pradesh government for conducting panchayat elections amid the raging COVID-19 pandemic, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday said what is happening in the state is nothing less than a “crime against humanity” and the state election commission (SEC) is “playing along”.

    The Congress general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh claimed that 700 teachers, including one who was pregnant and forced to attend poll duty, have died in the state.

    ALSO READ | Seven arrested for holding some poll officials hostage during UP panchayat polls

    Polling for the four-phase panchayat elections in Uttar Pradesh ended on Thursday.

    A voter turnout of 75 per cent was recorded in the final phase.

    “These elections have been conducted in almost 60,000 gram sabhas of UP without any thought of the catastrophic onslaught of the second wave,” Priyanka Gandhi said in a series of tweets.

    Meetings were conducted, campaigning continued and the spread of COVID-19 in UP’s villages is now “unstoppable”, she said.

    “People are dying in numbers far, far above the deceitful official figures.

    ALSO READ | Supreme Court refuses to stay counting of votes for Uttar Pradesh​ panchayat polls

    People are dying in homes across rural UP, and these deaths are not being counted as COVID (deaths) because people aren’t being tested,” she claimed.

    Priyanka Gandhi further alleged that the state government’s actions are designed to cover up the truth and terrorise both the public and the medical community, which is working tirelessly to save lives.

    “What is happening in UP is nothing less than a crime against humanity and the SEC, UP is playing along,” she said.

    Earlier this week, Priyanka Gandhi had demanded compensation of Rs 50 lakh for the families of government employees who allegedly died due to COVID-19 while performing their duty in the Uttar Pradesh panchayat polls.

  • COVID-19: Priyanka Gandhi tells Uttar Pradesh government to simplify hospital admission process

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI/ LUCKNOW: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday slammed “red-tapism” in Uttar Pradesh, alleging that lives were lost because Covid patients needed permission from the district chief medical officers to get admission in hospitals.

    In a letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Congress general secretary urged the creation of a database of available hospitals and beds to that people can seek admission directly. She claimed there are reports from many places in the state that COVID-19 patients require the CMO’s permission for hospital admission.

    Patients are waiting for hospitalisation for a long time and their families are running around from one place to another, she said citing “information” received by the party. “Many people have lost their lives due to this system,” the letter in Hindi alleged.

    ALSO READ| ‘No place in crematoriums, no beds in hospitals’: Akhilesh Yadav slams Uttar Pradesh government

    Priyanka Gandhi said she has been told that people who try to get oxygen cylinders face a similar situation as they need permission from the district magistrate. “An unfortunate incident took place outside the oxygen factory in Lucknow’s Talkatora Industrial area, when people standing in a line attacked government officials,” she said.

    However, police said nobody was attacked. Priyanka Gandhi asked what should those in home quarantine do if their condition worsens and they need oxygen. The Congress leaders said there is already a terrible crisis of oxygen beds in hospitals and in such a situation, “this step of your administration is fatal for those who are treating COVID-19 at home”.

    She said at a time when families of patients are suffering, such red-tapism is increasing their misery. “Please simplify the process of admission of COVID-19 patients in hospitals by considering every life essential,” she said.

    “Also, release a centralised database of hospitals and available beds, so that people can directly enroll COVID-19 patients in hospitals. This is the time to help people in distress. In this difficult time, we all need to work above politics. The Congress party is united with the people of the state and is ready to help the government in every way,” she said.

    ALSO READ| Allahabad HC orders week-long lockdown in five cities, Uttar Pradesh government ‘refuses’

    She also wished a speedy recovery to Adityanath who recently tested positive for COVID-19.

    Earlier on Twitter, she levelled the same charge about the hospital admission system. “Information is coming from many places that many serious patients are not being admitted without the letter of the CMO. “Mr. Chief Minister, people are losing their lives while waiting for the CMO’s letter. Please put an end to such rules, save the lives of people,” the tweet in Hindi said.

    कई जगहों से सूचना आ रही है कि कई गंभीर मरीजों को CMO के पत्र के बिना एडमिट नहीं किया जा रहा। मुख्यमंत्रीजी CMO के पत्र के इंतजार में लोगों की जानें जा रही हैं। कृपया ये नियम बंद कराएँ, लोगों की जान बचाएँ।ऐसी व्यवस्था बनाएं जिससे कि गंभीर मरीजों का अस्पताल में एडमिशन आसान हो सके
    — Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) April 19, 2021

    “Make such a system in which serious patients can be admitted to the hospitals easily,” she said. Uttar Pradesh on Monday registered the highest single-day rise in COVID-19 deaths with the disease claiming 167 more lives, while 28,287 fresh cases pushed its tally to 8,79,831.

  • Caution, as well as sensitiveness, required to win Covid battle: Priyanka Gandhi’s message to people

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: As the COVID-19 situation in India continues to worsen, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took to Twitter with an appeal to netizens to follow all necessary precautions during such unprecedented times.

    “Dear countrymen, these are very problematic times for us. All our loved ones, family members, and those around us are falling prey to the COVID-19 pandemic,” she tweeted

    The Congress leader, in her appeal, wrote, “It is my humble request to all of you to follow all protocols related to safety from COVID-19 virus.”

    “Caution, as well as sensitiveness, are required to win this battle together,” she concluded her tweet.

    On Friday, India recorded 2,17,353 fresh cases in a single day. The total count of COVID-19 cases has crossed 1.42 crore.

    In the last 24 hours, 1,185 COVID-related deaths were reported in the country taking the death toll to 1,74,308. As many as 2,17,353 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in India in the last 24 hours. With this, the total number of cases has gone up to 1,42,91,917.

    The active number of cases stands at 15,69,743. 

    ALSO WATCH:

  • Cancel CBSE class 12 exams, unfair to keep students under pressure till June: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday said CBSE board exams must be cancelled for Class 12 as has been done for Class 10 and asserted that keeping the students “under pressure” till June is “unfair”.

    Her remarks came soon after the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced that exams for Class 10 have been cancelled and those for Class 12 have been postponed in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases in the country.

    The exams were scheduled to be held from May 4.

    “The Class 12 exams have been postponed and a review of the situation will be done after June 1.

    Students will be given at least a 15-day notice before the exams are conducted,” a Ministry of Education official said.

    Reacting to the development, Priyanka Gandhi said, “Glad the government has finally cancelled the 10th standard exams. However, a final decision MUST be taken for the 12th grade too.”

    “Keeping students under undue pressure until June makes no sense. It’s unfair. I urge the government to decide now,” the Congress general secretary tweeted.

    Priyanka Gandhi had on Sunday written to the education minister seeking cancellation of the CBSE Board exams, saying it will be impossible to ensure the safety of students at crowded exam centres.

    Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had also urged the government earlier this week to cancel the exams.

    Earlier on Wednesday, Priyanka Gandhi had reiterated her call for cancelling the CBSE exams, saying the Centre must not ignore the voice of students and call off the tests due to the COVID-19 situation in the country.

    In a Facebook post, she said that in the past few days, she heard from many students across the country who raised some important issues related to the examinations amid the second wave of COVID-19.

    They say that in the last days leading up to the examinations, there is already pressure of preparation and now there was additional pressure of protection against the virus on them, according to Priyanka Gandhi.

    “Along with that, there is also the danger of safety of teachers engaged in exam duty and families of students,” the Congress general secretary said.

    Many countries have come out with several new methods of assessment in this emergency, she noted.

    The decision on the CBSE exams was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

  • Alarmed by rising COVID cases, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra holds meeting with UP leaders

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday held a virtual meeting with party leaders of Uttar Pradesh to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the state.

    Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the state, Priyanka Gandhi and other party leaders discussed the deteriorating situation of coronavirus in the state.

    Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh reported 18,021 new COVID-19 cases and 85 deaths Tuesday as India reported the highest-ever one-day spike with over 1.8 lakh COVID-19 cases, 1,027 deaths on Tuesday, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

    Also, in view of the shortage of Remdesivir in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday directed the state health department to acquire 25,000 injections of Remdesivir from Gujarat’s Ahmedabad on an urgent basis.

    According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the officers of the Health Department left for Ahmedabad to get 25,000 Remdesivir injections at 10.40 am today.

    Remdesivir is considered a key anti-viral drug to fight against COVID-19.  

  • Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slams CBSE over exam plans amid COVID-19 spike in India

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday slammed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for holding exams amid the COVID-19 spike in the country and said the exams should either be cancelled or rescheduled.

    “It is downright irresponsible of boards like the CBSE to force students to sit for exams under the prevailing circumstances. Board exams should either be cancelled, rescheduled or arranged in a manner that does not require the physical presence of children at crowded exam centres,” tweeted Gandhi.

    Further taking a dig at the government she said our education system needs to drastically alter its attitude and start reflecting sensitivity and compassion towards children rather than just talk about it at their conclaves and conferences.

    “While corona is ravaging our country again, the added pressure of exams is bound to affect the mental health of children. Our education system needs to drastically alter its attitude and start reflecting sensitivity and compassion towards children rather than just talk about it at their conclaves and conferences,” she added.

    On December 31, the Education Ministry announced examination dates for Class 10th and 12th CBSE students to be held from May 4 to June 10 and results for both to be declared by July 15, 2021.

    Every year, the Board exams used to begin from the month of February-March and the results were declared by the month of May. This year, the academic year started late due to the COVID-19 pandemic and classes were held online.

    Meanwhile, India today registered a record single-day spike of 1.31 lakh new COVID-19 cases, taking the infection tally to 1,30,60,542.

    According to the Union Health Ministry, the country recorded 1,31,968 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. With this fresh surge, the total number of infections has reached 1,30,60,542.  

  • Assam polls: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi slams ‘irresponsible’ EC, BJP’s negative politics

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: With the final phase of the assembly elections in Assam taking place on Tuesday, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that at a time when there is an “irresponsible” Election Commission and negative politics is being played by the ruling BJP, the people of Assam will choose the path of guarantee of development and progress.

    Polling for 40 seats in the final phase of the assembly elections in Assam is underway and it will decide the fate of 337 candidates. In a Facebook post in Hindi, Priyanka Gandhi said, “Today is the last phase of elections in Assam. I appeal to all my sisters and brothers to vote in large numbers to strengthen the democratic process.”

    आज असम में अंतिम चरण का चुनाव है। मेरी सभी मतदाता बहनों-भाइयों से अपील है कि लोकतांत्रिक प्रक्रिया को मजबूत करने के लिए भारी संख्या में मतदान करें।मुझे पूरा विश्वास है असम की जनता आज प्रगति व उन्नति की गारंटी का रास्ता चुनेगी।
    — Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) April 6, 2021

    “At a time when there is an irresponsible Election Commission (EC) and negative politics is being played by the ruling party, the people of Assam will choose the path of guarantee of development and progress,” the Congress general secretary said.

    The Congress-led Opposition has been raising questions over the EC’s neutrality and functioning in the Assam polls.

    The party had on Friday questioned the poll panel after a BJP candidate’s vehicle was found transporting a polled EVM in Assam’s Karimganj district and said if the poll body does not wake up now and remains “complicit” it will be fatal for democracy.

    The Congress on Saturday had hit out at the EC for reducing the campaign ban on Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and said it was a dark day for parliamentary democracy and history will not pardon the poll panel.

  • Priyanka and Nadda spar over right to serve people of Assam

    By Express News Service
    GUWAHATI: Election campaign in Assam is witnessing a war of words between the national-level leaders of BJP and Congress. On Monday in different parts of the state, BJP president JP Nadda and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of the grand old party took centrestage.

    Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of Congress duringelection rallies in different parts of Assamon Monday | PtiAddressing a rally at Tingkhong in Dibrugarh district, Nadda accused Congress of practising “politics of opportunism” and said Assam will head into “darkness” if the party is voted to power. “If you need darkness, then go with Congress. But if you need development, hold the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Nadda said. He accused Congress of neglecting Assam and the Northeast since Independence.

    “Because of Congress’s double standards, the wheels of development had totally stopped. It attacked the civilisation of Assam, sidelining the state’s culture. But, BJP brought development and protected Assam’s culture and language,” Nadda said. Attacking the Congress-AIUDF alliance, he said former CM Tarun Gogoi never allied with the Badruddin Ajmal-led party, but his son has now embraced the AIUDF.

    Priyanka, on the other hand,  alleged that BJP was functioning like a mafia and running syndicates. The Congress general secretary said that the saffron party in the state has two factions and both have betrayed the people of Assam.

    “In the Assam government, there is a Shakuni Mama-like leader and a Dhritarashtra. Both of them and BJP have betrayed the people of Assam. Dhritarashtra betrayed the six ethnic communities whom he had promised to get included in the Scheduled Tribes list. And Shakuni Mama runs a government that only cheats people.” She did not mention who she was referring to.

    “BJP has not been able to decide who will be their chief ministerial candidate. They are not able to respect their own chief minister and spell out the name. If there is no stability and unity in the party, then how will it bring stability to Assam and assure the people to give a stable government?” claimed the Congress leader.