New Delhi, Jun 28 (UNI) The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs on Monday took stock of India's preparedness to deal with a possible COVID19 third wave, economic impact of the pandemic and possibility of providing direct financial assistance to those migrant workers, who lost jobs.
According to the sources, the panel, headed by Congress MP Anand Sharma, also asked the officials to explain efficacy of available vaccines against new virus variants and concerns over the threats future Covid waves could pose to children.
Union Home Secretary, Health Secretary and other top officials of the two ministries gave a detailed presentation before the committee members. Committee members raised important questions to the health secretary about the status of a possible third COVID wave and preparations to tackle it.
While discussing the issue of migrant workers losing jobs and the economic loss due to low consumption amid the COVID pandemic, a committee member advocated for giving direct financial assistance to the labourers and to implement this, another member asked the MHA to look for the possibility of preparing data on such individuals.
A source said, “Health ministry officials assured the committee that the health department is ready and prepared for the new wave if any. And, the vaccination drive in the country is going on full swing.” The officials also informed the panel members that up to December 21, “a total of 186.6 crore domestically sourced vaccines will be available in the country”, he said.
It is learnt that the members then asked the officials about the efficacy of the available COVID-19 vaccines. The Committee further enquired if Indian vaccines can deal with the new variants of coronavirus.
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