COVID 19: Pradhan conducts video conference with PSU CMDs, reviews supply

Pradhan conducted a video conference with CMDs of all PSUs of the Petroleum and Steel Ministries to review supply of essential petroleum products

New Delhi: Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel Dharmendra Pradhan conducted a video conference with petroleum and steel PSU CMDs on Tuesday to review preparedness ahead of COVID 19 lockdown. He reviewed the status of supplies of petroleum products in the country, operations of refineries, terminals and steel plants and also reviewed the safety measures being taken for the employees and their families in the call with PSU CMDs.

COVID 19 lockdown: PSU CMDs asked to ensure supplies of essential products

In a statement, Pradhan later said, "We are working to ensure that supplies of essential products to the people are not disrupted. At the same time, we are ensuring safety of our team members."

Conducted a meeting via video conferencing with CMDs of PSUs of @PetroleumMin. Reviewed the status of supplies of petroleum products in the country and operations of our refineries & terminals. We are working to ensure uninterrupted supplies of petroleum products to the people. pic.twitter.com/yMMC4GIKqg
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) March 24, 2020

"Our team members who are putting service over self and ensuring that essential supplies are not hit, deserve applause. I have instructed PSU CMDs to take all necessary steps to ensure safety and well being of our employees and their family members," he further added.

"These are challenging times. We must endure, we must prevail. Our team is fully geared up to meet the challenges. Together, we shall overcome." the minister said.

The backdrop

The meeting took place on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown in the country to curb the spread of COVID 19. He said that a complete lockdown will be in place for 21 days and urged citizens to stay indoors to keep the disease from spreading. Only essential supplies and medical supplies will be available over the course of the lockdown.

India has so far recorded 519 confirmed cases of COVID 19 and nine deaths because of the infection. Modi said that the only way to prevent the flatten the curve of the disease is to ensure no new infection takes place.