Chandigarh April 27- Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal, has urged the Government of India to take quick steps to remove the prevailing uncertainty around dates of competitive examinations like Combined Defense Services, JEE, and NEET for admissions into NDA, Engineering Colleges, and Medical Colleges.

While speaking at a Video Conference of Chief Ministers chaired by Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi today, he apprised the Prime Minister that the State was fully prepared to meet any eventuality in corona crisis, all efforts are being made to revive economic activities in a safe manner.

Sharing details about Haryana in tacking the COVID-19 Pandemic spread, the Chief Minister said the present statistics of the State are quite promising. In the state, we are testing 3115 samples every day. Out of the total 22, 243 tests conducted till date, only 299 have been found positive. All of them have been admitted to hospitals for treatment. After treatment, 205 patients have recovered and discharged from the hospital. He said that the life of everyone is precious to us and we are trying our best to save all, however, unfortunately, we have lost three lives due to COVID-19.

The Chief Minister further informed that the State Government is putting a lot of emphasis on screening and testing. A total of 20,792 teams with Asha workers, Anganwadi workers etc have been formed for this purpose. He said that the target of conducting a screening of 100 percent families of the State is being carefully carried out and while carrying out the screening, samples are being taken of all those who are found to be possibly infected with COVID-19 infection.

Informing about the installation of Arogya Setu app, the Chief Minister said that so far, 32.21 lakh people have downloaded the Arogya Setu app. He said that presently there are 155 containment zones in the State where the lockdown is being strictly implemented. He shared that presently, arrangement for about 19 thousand COVID-19 patients has been made in the State, and arrangements for isolation beds for 9444 patients have also been made. As many as 1101 ventilators are in working condition in the State. Apart from this, there is no shortage of surgical masks and PPE kits.

While mentioning about the precautions being taken to prevent the spread of Corona virus in the State, Chief Minister said that guidelines of the Union Home Ministry’s regarding relaxation during the lockdown period from April 20 have been fully implemented in the State. However, strictness is being implemented in some activities in some districts. He said that where there are arrangements to keep in the place of working (In-situ), in such places industrial and construction activities have been started all across the state, excluding the containment zone. Similarly, 18750 workers are working in situ in 415 such units.

Apart from this, more than two lakh labourers are working in 1448 brick kilns. He said, however, stringent measures are being taken in Panipat, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Panchkula, where some cases of COVID-19 have come to light.

Informing the Prime Minister about the agricultural activities started in the state, the Chief Minister said that utmost care is being taken in the procurement of wheat and mustard in the mandis of the State. In every mandi, proper arrangements for masks, sanitizers, and thermal screening have been made for the farmers and labourers. He said that two days prior information is being given to the farmers through SMS as which farmer has to bring his crop in which mandi and at what time. He said that all the employees, Arhtiya, farmers, and labourers working in the mandis have been given a free life insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh for COVID-19. He said that till now the situation in the state is under control and we are constantly alert and fully prepared to tackle any situation in the future.