The Government of India has roped in its armed forces to tackle soaring Covid-19 cases across the country. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will review the Covid situation on Tuesday afternoon with all the service chiefs – Chief of Defence Staff, all Secretaries, Defence Research and Development Organisation Chairman and Director General Armed Forces Medical Services.
Singh had on Monday urged the forces to be on war footing in fight against Covid, providing all medical help to the affected people. He also directed the army to open up medical facilities for local people and directed that forces top commanders to get in touch with chief ministers of the states. The sources said the defence minister has been in touch with the top brass of his ministry and the three forces on how the civilian administration across the country could be assisted in battling the coronavirus situation. The Defence Ministry instructed 67 hospitals run by Cantonment Boards across the country to ensure medical services to cantonment residents as well as those from outside. The states unable to control the Covid-19 situation were looking upon the Central government for help. The minister said that all efforts should be made to ensure maximum assistance to the affected people as the defence establishment has best medical facilities.
