Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a video-conference that lasted for nearly six hours on Monday, interacted with chief ministers of all states/UTs to discuss efforts to contain the novel coronavirus outbreak and relaxation of the nationwide lockdown that has been in place since March 25. This was the fifth such virtual meeting between the PM and various chief ministers since the outbreak.
During the interaction, the majority of the states sought an extension of the lockdown to keep the novel coronavirus cases under control. Several states also urged Centre to release GST returns as well as financial aid to help them fight the Covid-19 outbreak.
At the beginning of the meeting, Prime Minister Modi briefed CMs about the situation on the ground. “We now have a reasonably clear indication as to the geographical spread of the pandemic in India, including the worst affected areas,” he said. The PM added that officials are now familiar with operating procedures down to the district level.
The prime minister also mentioned that economic activity has now started to pick up in several parts of the country and will gather steam in the coming days. While reiterating the need to keep rural India free from the infection, PM Modi said, “We must realize that the fight against Covid-19 has to be more focused now.”
Here’s what the chief ministers said:
Maharashtra
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said that industries in green zones should be allowed to resume operations and local trains must be operated for the convenience of workers engaged in essential services. Farmers should get crop insurance and police and doctors must be given additional workforce if needed, added CM Thackeray.
The Maharashtra CM also sought the state’s GST returns as soon as possible. “A decision on lockdown should be made carefully since cases are expected to peak in June-July,” he said in his interaction with the prime minister.
Delhi
Economic activity should be resumed in all parts of the national capital with the exception of containment zones, suggested Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Assam
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that he is in favour of extending the lockdown by another two weeks along with restrictions on inter-state movement.
Chhattisgarh
State governments should be consulted before any regular trains or flights are scheduled for those states, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel told Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Odisha
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in his interaction with the prime minister said that a smaller and more scientific unit can replace districts for zoning purposes. A national SOP drafted by the Centre will lead to a unified response in the direction of the revival of the economy, CM Patnaik added.
Rajasthan
Residents of red zones should not be allowed to enter green zones, suggested Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
Andhra Pradesh
Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy mentioned the need to detach stigma associated with Covid-19 patients.
Punjab
Demanding the power for states to classify districts into colour-coded zones, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh also agreed that an extension of the lockdown is imperative along with a well-crafted exit strategy to protect livelihoods.
Telangana
Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao while opposing the resumption of passenger train services, told the prime minister that labs in Hyderabad are working towards a vaccine that could become a reality as early as July or August of this year.
Bihar
The government of Bihar is in favour of extending the lockdown because once it is lifted a large number of people will enter the state thereby increasing the risk of transmission, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said.
Tamil Nadu
Chief Minister Edapaddi K Palaniswami while demanding more RT-PCR testing kits for the state, sought a grant of Rs 3,000 crore from the Centre for procurement of medical equipment and movement of migrant workers. In addition, CM Palaniswami also asked the centre for an additional grant of Rs 2,500 crore for industrial investment in Tamil Nadu.
Resuming train and flight services in Chennai before May 31 is unwise in light of the rising number of coronavirus cases in the city, the chief minister said.
In addition, CM Palaniswami also asked for an additional borrowing of 33 per cent above the permitted level for FY2019-20 for FY2020-21. “GST compensation of Tamil Nadu should be released along with 50 per cent of the finance commission grant for 2020-21 to urban and rural bodies,” added CM Edapaddi K Palaniswami.
West Bengal
Referring to letters from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to state officials, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that West Bengal is being discriminated with. Banerjee claimed that the state is doing its best to deal with the crisis and requested the Centre to respect the federal structure of India.
West Bengal is surrounded by international borders and other bigger states which is why there are multiple challenges to deal with, CM Mamata Banerjee said.
Karnataka
Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa suggested that there should be no district-wise classification into red, orange or green zones. Only containment zones and areas neighbouring them should be subjected to restrictions, he added.
While expressing his views that domestic/international travel should not be allowed at least until the end of May, CM Yediyurappa also suggested that commercial activities and public transport should be allowed in non-containment zones.