PM Modi to discuss on corona issue: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with chief ministers of all states on Saturday via video conference, where a call would be taken on whether the 21-day nation-wide lockdown to check the spread of coronavirus, ending next week, should be extended or not.
However Several states have favored the extension to contain the fast-spreading virus.
Addressing floor leaders of various parties who have representation in Parliament, on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi had made it clear that the lockdown cannot be lifted in one go on April 14, asserting that the priority of his government is to “save each and every life”.
According to an official statement, he(PM) said that states, district administrations and experts have suggested extension of the lockdown to contain the spread of the virus.
“Prime Minister Modi made it clear that lockdown is not being lifted and also that the life pre-corona and post-corona will not be same,” Biju Janata Dal leader Pinaki Misra had told PTI after Wednesday’s interaction.
This is for the second time the prime minister will interact with the chief ministers via video link after the lockdown was imposed.
Earlier, on 2 April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video conference with all chief ministers to discuss ways to check the spread of coronavirus. where, Contact tracing of those feared to be exposed to the deadly virus and isolation of those who tested positive of the virus were discussed in the meeting, as per the sources.
Before the lockdown was announced on March 24, the prime minister also had interacted with the chief ministers on March 20 to discuss means to check the spread of the deadly virus.
According to a Health Ministry update this morning, the death toll due to COVID-19 has risen to 199 in India. The total number of coronavirus positive cases has climbed to 6,412.
Meanwhile, Odisha has become the first state to extend the 21-day lockdown till April 30. The 21-day nation-wide lockdown end date is on April 14. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has requested the Centre not to start train and air services till April 30. The state has also announced that all educational institutions in the state will remain closed till June 17.
