Get down to work in adopted countries: Mahua Moitra in terse tweet on NRI docs

Kolkata: Raising questions on the concern shown by NRI doctors regarding the fight against COVID-19 in Bengal, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra suggested them to get down to work in their "adopted countries" instead.

A group of NRI doctors from Bengal has written an open letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, raising their concern over alleged "under-testing" and data related to deaths due to COVID-19. They wrote the letter based on reports in a section of media and social media platforms.

Reacting to the letter, Moitra stated in a tweet: "Eleven of 14 NRI doctors writing to West Bengal Chief Minister are in US, 2 in UK and 1 in Germany. With due respect, you choose to live, practise and pay taxes elsewhere."

Comparing the COVID-19 situation in these countries with that in India, Moitra added: "US cases 2,679 per 1 million, deaths 152 per 1 million. UK cases 2,034 per 1 million, deaths 276 per 1 million. India cases 17 per 1 million, deaths 0.5 per 1 million."

She ended her tweet in this regard maintaining: "Suggest you get down to work in your adopted countries!"

This comes at a time when the Mamata Banerjee government is leaving no stones unturned in ensuring the safety of people, both by developing necessary infrastructure and ensuring safety of people working in the frontline, including doctors and health workers.

At the same time, she is personally visiting different places in the city to create awareness among people, so that the latter can realise the importance of staying at home in this situation.

Most importantly, the state is the first in the country to set up a Global Advisory Board for COVID Response Policy in West Bengal, with Nobel laureate Dr Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee as a key member, to help the state government with advise and suggestions on the steps that need to be taken in regards to different aspects including health, social issues and finance.