PM Modi holds crucial meet with CMs over coronavirus crisis and lockdown strategy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking stock of the coronavirus situation in the country today as he holds a video conference with chief ministers of all states. The prime minister has held two such interactions with the chief ministers before. In his last such video conference, PM Modi had announced his intentions to extend the lockdown beyond April 14 after most of the chief ministers asked him for an extension in the lockdown in lieu of the growing coronavirus cases. After his meeting with the chief ministers, PM Modi extended the lockdown till May 3.
Earlier, PM Modi held a similar conference on March 20 to discuss with the chief ministers, the measures that are needed to be taken to combat COVID-19.
The government has already given some relaxations in the lockdown by allowing standalone shops across the country to open. Most of the states have complied with the government's order.
Some states have, however, had their reservations considering the fast-spreading coronavirus in the area. More clarity on the matter is likely to come from the video conference today.
Coronavirus cases in India have notched up 26,917 while the deaths have piled up to 825. As many as 5,914 people in the country have recovered after contracting the virus.
In his monthly 'Mann ki Baat' radio address on Sunday, the prime minister said the country is in the middle of a 'yudh' (war) and asserted that people have to continue being careful and take precautions.
His note of caution came amidst gradual exemptions being granted by the Centre and states to revive economic activities.
"I urge you not to get overconfident. You should in your over-enthusiasm not think that if the coronavirus has not yet reached your city, village, street or office, it is not going to reach now. Never make such a mistake. The experience of the world tells us a lot in this regard," Modi said while referring to a popular Hindi idiom 'Sawdhani hati, durghatna ghati' (disaster strikes when you lower your concentration).
The Centre and the state governments have been giving gradual exemptions to boost economic activities as also to provide relief to people as some states want further relaxation in areas which have seen few or no coronavirus cases.
