Lucknow, Jul 20 (IANS): Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) President Mayawati on Monday slammed the Centre and the state governments for their response to the COVID-19 pandemic and said that the virus can be contained by making proper arrangements and not by "jugaad".

"It is a matter of concern how COVID-19 pandemic is unfolding in Uttar Pradesh, which has the largest pool of poor and backward people in the country. The state and the Central government must take notice of this situation. Coronavirus cannot be controlled by 'jugaad' but by making a proper arrangement," the BSP president tweeted.

Last week, Mayawati had stressed upon the plight of migrants during the pandemic and had said that they are reeling under poverty due to rampant unemployment in the state.

"Migrant workers, who returned to Uttar Pradesh, are suffering due to coronavirus pandemic and lockdown. They are in search of jobs but due to unemployment, they are reeling under pathetic financial stress. This situation of them is very serious and a worrisome issue," BSP chief had tweeted.

She had said in another tweet, "In most government made COVID care centres in Uttar Pradesh, adequate cleanliness and arrangements have not been made. It would be better for the government to pay attention that these COVID care centres do not become the centres of spreading the disease."