PM Modi-CMs meet begins; lockdown exit strategy, economy to be in focus
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting chief ministers of all the states has begun to discuss the road ahead for lockdown exit strategy, steps being taken by the government to control the spread of virus and other issues comprising the economy, officials informed. This is the 5th such meeting of PM Modi with the chief ministers ever since the country entered lockdown phase to fight coronavirus on March 24.
PM Modi interacts with Chief Ministers | What we know so far
- Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray said cases are expected to peak in May, it may peak in June or July also. "I've read Wuhan is witnessing a 2nd wave of cases,even WHO has warned about this. So, I suggest that any action on lockdown must be taken cautiously," he added.
- 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 & orange zones, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel said during video conference with PM Modi over COVID-19
- 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.
- Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh pitched for extension of the lockdown but with a carefully crafted strategy, backed by fiscal & economic empowerment of the states, to save lives and secure livelihood: Punjab CM's Office
- As positive cases in Chennai are showing an increasing trend, don't permit train service up to May 31 in Tamil Nadu. I request you not to begin regular Air services till May 31, said Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami.
- PM Modi said the road ahead should be focused on reducing the spread and ensuring that all precautions are taken by people including social distancing norms by observing ‘Do Gaj Doori’z Follow-up is of paramount importance-and we must do so.
- Slowly but surely, economic activities have begun to pick up in several parts of the country. In the coming days, this process will further gather steam, PM Modi said.
- Home Minister Amit Shah told the chief ministers that the Arogya Setu app is very helpful and that they should make it accessible to as many people as possible.
- According to reports, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the Central government of politics of discrimination during the meeting.
- PM Modi said that the states are working together in the fight against coronavirus during the meeting that is currently underway with the chief ministers.
- PM Modi said the challenge is to not let the coronavirus crisis reach the villages of India.
PM Modi's today's meeting is being held in two phases. The first phase is from 3 pm to 5.30 pm while second phase will start after a 30 minute gap from 6 pm to 8 pm.
The focus of the meeting is on increasing economic activities and tackling the pandemic in containment zones as the lockdown 3.0 is to end on May 17.
The pan-India lockdown, enforced on March 25, was originally supposed to end on April 14. It was then extended to May 3, and then again to May 17.
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