Hamirpur, April 19
“Media Persons in the state to be corona warriors”, said Jai Ram Thakur Chief Minister while addressing media here today. He said that government was considering this following regular exposure of media persons in the pandemic situation. He said that corona virus had affected development and also people economically. He said that government wanted to help public in distress but financial health of the state was major constraint. He said that the party that ruled the state for longer duration was responsible for this situation.
He said that he was travelling to review the preparations of health services to combat emerging situations due to corona virus.
Jai Ram Thakur said that Corona virus was spreading with more pace than earlier. He said that state had witnessed 2000 cases in 20 days and death toll had reached to 1177. He said that the recovery rate in the state was over 90 percent.
Jai Ram said that government had setup 550 containment zones to provide health services to corona virus patients and 8000 people were in home isolation.
He said that government would improve the accommodation capacity in health institutions. He said that the state had sufficient stock of oxygen while opposition had mislead people on the stock status of oxygen. CM said that government would set up oxygen plants at Chamba, Dharamsala, Hamirpur Mandi and Nahan soon.
Jai Ram Thakur said that media played effective role for awareness among people and now the responsibility had increased with increase in the virus.
Meeting Dhumal was a courtesy : CM
Jai Ram Thakur said that a meeting with former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal at his residence at Sameerpur last night was a courtesy. He said that Prem Kumar Dhumal was senior leader of BJP and he preferred to meet him at his residence. 
Speaking on the performance of BJP in recent elections, Jai Ram Thakur said that BJP had emerged strong in the elections including of the Municipal Corporations in the state. He said that MC Dharamsal and Mandi were won with big margins while Solan was a close contest. He said that BJP would win in the coming Loksabha and Assembly bye elections of Mandi and Fatehpur respectively.
(OVER)