Sources said unlike other times, when the cabinet secretary was the one to make the initial contact, this was a political outreach.
New Delhi, May 28:
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reached out to all Chief Ministers, sources said, asking for feedback on the lockdown and their views about its extension or lifting after May 31, when the current phase is scheduled to end. All Chief Ministers have given their views on how they want to move forward.
Sources said unlike other times, when the cabinet secretary was the one to make the initial contact, this was a political outreach.
The government has been concerned about sharp criticism of its strategy to counter coronavirus from the opposition as well as the state Chief Ministers, which has pushed it to change its stance on several occasions.
Home ministry sources yesterday said ultimately, the way forward regarding the lockdown “would be a political call”.
The government’s options include continuation with the National Disaster Management Act, which empowers the Centre to take all the decisions regarding health, which is a state subject. Or it can allow the states to have a final call on how they wish to proceed.
During the last extension of the lockdown in mid-May, the government had allowed extensive relaxations, leaving it to the state’s judgment on setting the boundaries.
