PM-CM Meet: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asked chief ministers to spell out how they want to deal with the lockdown regime after May 17 when the third spell of the lockdown expires. PM Modi, who has described stopping the coronavirus disease from spreading to rural areas as the big challenge, said social distancing was the biggest weapon to fight the virus “till we do not find a vaccine or a solution”.
A central economic package to offset the revenue losses during the lockdown to combat coronavirus and autonomy in color-coding the virus-hit districts were the two key demands of the states at their 6-hour videoconference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.
Several states, including Punjab and Assam, have asked for an extension of the lockdown. Others, like Tamil Nadu and Telangana, asked that rail and air traffic not be started yet.
“We must all plan for the new reality,” PM Modi told a marathon meeting of chief ministers that started at 3 pm and continued well past 9 pm. PM Modi and his top cabinet ministers including Home Minister Amit Shah sat through the conference, listening to each chief minister via video conference.
Highlights of the Meeting: Few key Points.
1. I want states to make a blueprint on how to deal with various nuances during and after the gradual easing of the lockdown: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pointing that out that it will take some time to get a vaccine, “I request you all to share with me by 15th May, a broad strategy on how each one of you would want to deal with the lockdown regime in your particular states.
2. All states raised concerns about the migrant laborers stranded because of the lockdown since March-end. Even after special trains started to take them home, the desperation has not ended for many. PM Modi said while his government’s efforts were for everyone to stay where they are, certain decisions had to be changed because it was “human nature” to want to go home.
3. “We have a twofold challenge – to reduce the transmission rate of the disease, and to increase public activity adhering to all the guidelines,” the Prime Minister said. “We now have a reasonably clear indication as to the geographical spread of the pandemic…The effort should be to stop the spread of the COVID-19 to rural areas,” he added.
4. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recommended that rail, road and air traffic be allowed with restrictions and metro travel be allowed in the least affected parts of the state. “The state government should be given adequate flexibility to allow public transport subject to virus protocols,” Mr. Vijayan said.
5. Five states — including Punjab and Assam — have asked for an extension of the lockdown. Punjab’s Amarinder Singh said, “My position is very strong. We must have lockdown. We must have a strong lockdown. I will ensure a curfew”. In case of a graded exit from the lockdown based on red, orange and green zones, state administrations should be allowed to decide where restrictions can be eased, he said.
