While some suggested reopening economic activity in phases, others believed that it would be dangerous, at this stage in India’s fight against the spread of COVID-19, to start flights and trains just now.
New Delhi, May 11:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said he would hear all Chief Ministers before taking a considered decision on the road ahead after May 17, when the nationwide coronavirus lockdown is due to end. At his fifth virtual meet with Chief Ministers, divergent views emerged. While some suggested reopening economic activity in phases, others believed that it would be dangerous, at this stage in India’s fight against the spread of COVID-19, to start flights and trains just now.
Here is a look at what Chief Ministers said:
Tamil Nadu
Chief Minister K Palaniswami urged PM Modi not to resume flights and trains in the state until May 31. “We know from the media that regular train services to Chennai (from Delhi) and from Chennai will begin from May 12. As the positive cases in Chennai are showing an increasing trend, don’t permit train services up to May 31 in my state,” Mr Palaniswami said.
Andhra Pradesh
Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy said agricultural markets should open. Stating that normalcy would revive the economy, he also suggested softening terms of loans to help people hit hard by the lockdown. He also said public transport, shopping and malls should be allowed with SOPs to ensure all virus protocols were maintained.
West Bengal
Mamata Banerjee reportedly hit out at the government, accusing it of exploiting the pandemic to play politics in her state. “This is not the time to do politics, don’t bulldoze the federal structure,” the Chief Minister fumed.
Telangana
Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to resume the passenger train services, which were stopped as part of preventive measures to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country.
Chhattisgarh
State governments should get the right to take decisions on handling of economic activities within their states. They should also get the responsibility to declare red, green and orange zones, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said.
Punjab
Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh pitched for extension of the lockdown but with a carefully crafted strategy, backed by fiscal and economic empowerment of the states, to save lives and secure livelihood.
