PM Modi/File
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held discussions with chief ministers and Lt governors of 21 states and union territories on ways to check the spread of coronavirus as thousands of fresh cases are being reported daily. This is Modi's sixth interaction with the chief ministers since the outbreak of the deadly virus. The two-day virtual meet comes as the country witnesses an unabated spike in coronavirus cases. India registered over 10,000 COVID-19 cases for the fifth day in a row pushing the tally to 3,43,091 on Tuesday, while the death toll rose to 9,900 with 380 new fatalities. Chief ministers of Punjab, Kerala, Goa, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and those of the northeastern states among others took part in the meet. LGs and administrators of some union territories also attended Tuesday's brainstorming session.
PM Modi discusses COVID situation with CMs | HIGHLIGHTS
- For us the death of even 1 Indian is unsettling but it is also true that India is one of the countries where there have been least deaths due to COVID-19
- To even think of stepping out without a mask or face cover is not right at present. ‘Do gaj ki doori’, hand-washing & use of sanitisers is of utmost importance. With markets opening and people stepping out, these precautions are even more important.
- Smaller factories need guidance and hand-holding. Need to also work on value chains so that trade and industry retains its earlier pace
- We must know that the more we are able to contain coronavirus, more of our economy will open, offices, markets, transport will open
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India's recovery rate is above 50 percent. We are among those countries where corona-infected patients are recovering
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India will be remembered in future for working together in this crisis, presenting an exemplar of cooperative federalism
On Wednesday, Modi will interact with chief ministers of 15 states and the LG of Jammu and Kashmir.
These are the states where coronavirus cases are on a much higher side and include Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Karnataka, Gujarat, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Based on suggestions made by the states, under "Unlock 1" several relaxations were made for public and businesses to ensure that economic activities hit by the lockdown gather momentum.
But this has given rise to fear that it may trigger an increase in new cases.
Modi had on Saturday reviewed the steps being taken to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in areas with high case load and the road map for effective management of the situation.
(With PTI inputs)
