Centre mulling to extend lockdown by two weeks as majority of CMs are in favour

New Delhi, Apr 11, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday indicated that the government was milling the idea of an extension of the lockdown by a period of two weeks after Chief Ministers of many states, including Punjab, Delhi, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, favored it to stem the sharp increase in Covid cases in a video-conference.
Sources said that after the meeting, through video conferencing, with the chief ministers to get a feedback, Mr Modi indicated that the lockdown could be extended by two weeks.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in a tweet after the meeting, said,’ PM has taken correct decision to extend lockdown. Today, India’s position is better than many developed countries because we started lockdown early. If it is stopped now, all gains would be lost. To consolidate, it is imp to extend it.”
Chief Ministers of Delhi, Punjab, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh favored extension of the lockdown till April 30, sources said.
The Chief Ministers also suggested that the lockdown should be uniformly enforced across the country to maximise its effectiveness, instead of states taking a call on their own.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Kejriwal said that the decision to continue the lockdown should be taken on a national level. If the states decide the length of the lockdown on their own, then the fight against the coronavirus would not be effective, he said.
Mr Kejriwal said in case lockdown is eased, all kinds of transport, either rail or road, should not be allowed.
In his comments, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said, ‘It is important to extend the nation-wide lockdown… We need a common relief policy for rabi (winter) crop.”
Speaking during the video conference, the PM said, ‘I am available 24×7. Any chief minister can speak to me and give suggestions (on COVID-19) anytime. We should stand together shoulder-to-shoulder.’
Punjab, Odisha, West Bengal and Maharashtra have already announced extending the lockdown beyond April 14 when the current spell of 21-day shutdown across the country ends on Tuesday.
Sources say that Mr Modi is likely to give a televised address to the nation again to announce the lockdown extension.
However, as per sources, the government is considering to allow industries and construction work in a phased manner.
The meeting comes amid an increased outbreak of Corona virus in the country with the number of cases of crossing the 7000 mark. More than 200 people across the country have died from the virus.
In his meeting, PM and the CMs were seen wearing a mask.
This was the PM’s second meeting with the chief ministers. In his last video conference with chief ministers on April 2, Mr Modi said the Centre and States must have a common plan to ensure staggered movement of people after the national lockdown ends.