Rajnath Singh Asks DRDO, Others To Provide Oxygen, Beds To States: Report

COVID-19 India: At a virtual meeting with top defence personnel, Rajnath Singh also announced granting emergency financial powers to the three services and other defence agencies to make necessary procurement to enhance medical infrastructure in view of the pandemic, officials said.

As India battles a massive spike in coronavirus cases, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday asked defence public sector undertakings, DRDO and Ordnance Factory Board to make it a priority to provide oxygen cylinders and extra beds to various state governments at the earliest besides extending all required help. At a virtual meeting with top defence personnel, Rajnath Singh also announced granting emergency financial powers to the three services and other defence agencies to make necessary procurement to enhance medical infrastructure in view of the pandemic, officials said. They said the three forces and other agencies have been asked to identify their requirement to deal with the situation and told that approvals will be given for the procurement. The meeting was attended by Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) Surgeon Vice Admiral Rajat Datta and DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy.