In his fourth interaction with chief ministers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the lockdown has yielded positive results, and effort should control the spread as its threat was far from over. Many of the chief ministers also favoured extending the lockdown with some economic concessions.
The government hinted that lockdown may continue in COVID red zones, even as many states including Odisha, Goa and Meghalaya demanded that lockdown be extended further beyond May 3. However, as they have been bearing the cost of the lockdown, the states demanded fiscal stimulus, and more funds and testing kits to fight the spread.
PM Modi underlined that the lockdown has yielded positive results as the country has managed to save thousands of lives in the past one and a half months. “India’s population is comparable to that of the combined population of several countries. The situation in many countries, including India, was almost similar at the start of March. However, due to timely measures, India has been able to protect many people,” the official statement quoting the PM said. He, however, forewarned that the danger of the virus is far from over and constant vigilance is of paramount importance.
Modi said the country has seen two lockdowns till now, both different in certain aspects, and now we have to think of the way ahead. He said that as per experts, the impact of coronavirus will remain visible in the coming months. He highlighted the importance for states to enforce guidelines strictly in the hotspots, i.e., the red zone areas. He stated that the efforts of the states should be directed towards converting the red zones into orange and thereafter, to green zones.
“The government should allow states to formulate their own policies in terms of opening shops and cottage industry as the situation is different,” Puducherry CM V. Naranayanasamy said. He demanded an economic package for the states, including a GST compensation and a package to control COVID. He said the PM did not give any assurance on giving an economic package to the states.
Modi on his part named three chief ministers–Ashok Gehlot, Nitish Kumar and Naveen Patnaik–as he talked about their initiatives. The PM praised Rajasthan in its effort to do more testing in the state.
The issue of migrants stranded in various states was also discussed during the virtual meeting. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar raised the issue saying there should be a policy for rescuing migrants from the states. He gave an example of Kota where students were taken back by different states. But when it came to migrant labourers stuck in different states, there was no announcement, Nitish Kumar said. Some of the chief ministers in discussions with their counterparts have started transporting some of the migrants staying in the relief camps. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has already said she would bring back most of the state residents. Some of the states like Odisha and Rajasthan have set up control rooms for migrants who wish to return.
Reiterating the mantra of ‘do gaz doori’ (social distancing), PM said masks and face covers will become part of our lives in the days ahead. He added that under the circumstances, everyone’s aim must be rapid response. He pointed out that many people are self-declaring whether they have cough and cold or symptoms, and that this is a welcome sign.
Modi said the governments have to give importance to the economy as well as continue the fight against COVID -19. He emphasised on the importance of usage of technology as much as possible and also to utilise time to embrace reform measures. He stressed on the significance of ensuring that more people downloaded the AarogyaSetu app to bolster the efforts of the country in the battle against COVID-19.
On the issue of getting back Indians who are overseas, Modi said that this has to be done keeping in mind the fact that they do not get inconvenienced and their families are not under any risk. The prime minister also urged chief ministers to factor in the changes in weather--advent of summer and monsoon--and the illnesses that can potentially come in this season, while strategizing ahead.
