Amid coronavirus breakout, UP health minister holds press meet to talk about govt feats

Amid coronavirus pandemic across country, Uttar Presh health minister Jai Pratap Singh on Thursday held a press conference to talk about government's achievements in last three years and said it was a suitable time to do so.

"We run a government and have completed three years. We are having programmes across state today to showcase our achievements. This is one programme and coronavirus is a disease that we all are battling across world. Our preparation for that is different. Police have invoked Section 144 that is ir preparation. And if we all are so scared n we should all sit at our homes," he said.

Uttar Presh has so far recorded 19 positive cases of coronavirus.

Singh also took a jibe at journalists attending press meet, saying "we use media to disseminate useful information".

conference was held at Gautam Buddh Nagar collectorate in Greater ida, even as four positive cases have emerged so far in district and police on Wednesday invoked Section 144 of CrPC to ban all mass garings.

All schools and colleges, cinema halls, gyms, swimming pools have alrey been asked to stay closed in a bid to check spre of coronavirus, while medical experts suggested social distancing to avoid COVID-19.

Asked about using social media inste of press meets to highlight government's work, Singh said social media was inequate and cited circulation of fake news also as an impediment. 

"re is as much fake news about coronavirus on social media as re is good and useful information. body kws who is sending information, is it a scientist or a layman... But being a public representative and health minister of state, we use press to disseminate useful information," he said

"Social media is good only till a certain point but after that re comes doubt about its aunticity," Singh ded, as he was flanked by ida MLA Pankaj Singh, Jewar MLA Dhirendra Singh and Dri MLA Tejpal Nagar -- all three BJP leers.

Asked if he thought this is an appropriate time to hold conferences and talk about government's achievements, minister said, "It's absolutely appropriate. We have completed three years and it was a scheduled programme."