BJP, Congress spar over Covid surge in C’garh

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday termed the decision to impose night curfew a delayed decision in the battle against Covid-19 in Chhattisgarh while the Congress called it a timely intervention.

Chhattisgarh BJP President Vishnudeo Sai said night curfew and other steps initiated after a surge in Covid cases will prove fatal to the people.

The decision should be taken at the state level instead of in districts.

PCC President Mohan Markam said the Chhattisgarh government was alert and that is why it has imposed night curfew only in districts having higher cases — mainly Raipur and Raigarh districts.

The government has increased testing and mandatory screening of every passenger coming into the state by air, rail and road.

He asked the BJP leaders to seek the Central government’s assistance to establish a facility of genome sequencing in Chhattisgarh as the approval has been delayed.

At present for the Omicron test, Covid samples are being sent to Bhubaneswar. There is a delay in getting the investigation report. Genome sequencing facility can be started with ease at AIIMS, Raipur.