PM To Interact With CMs On Monday To Discuss ‘Graded’ Exit From Lockdown
The interaction will come at a time several states are batting for a lockdown extension to keep Covid-19 cases in check.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with chief ministers via video conference on Monday to discuss the coronavirus situation in India and exit from the harshest lockdown in the world.
This will be the third video conference between the prime minister and chief ministers since the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
People in the government indicated that besides discussing the way forward in dealing with the pandemic, the discussion could also focus on a “graded” exit from the lockdown, which is in place till May 3.
The Centre and the state governments have been giving gradual relaxation in various fields and sectors to boost economic activities as also to provide relief to people. But some states are willing to extend the lockdown beyond May 3 to ensure that Covid-19 cases remain under control.
As of 8:00 am on April 26, India had 26,496 coronavirus cases, including 824 deaths and 5,804 patients who have recovered.
In their last interaction with the prime minister on April 11, several chief ministers had recommended extension of the 21-day lockdown by two weeks, which was slated to end on April 14 earlier. On April 14, the prime minister had announced that the lockdown is being extended till May 3.
Before the lockdown was announced on March 24, the prime minister had interacted with the chief ministers on March 20 to discuss ways and means to check the spread of the novel coronavirus.