IT Correspondent
New Delhi, May 11:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called for efforts to boost economy in a phased manner in an online meeting with chief ministers on ways to strengthen the COVID-19 containment strategy and stepping up of economic activities in a calibrated manner as the 54-day nationwide lockdown nears an end. This was his firth virtual meeting with CMs.
In his opening remarks, PM Modi speaks about migrants, says he understands their need to go home. It is challenge for us is to not let Covid-19 spread to villages, the PM says.
”We stressed people should stay where they are. But it’s human nature to want to go home and so we had to modify or change our decisions (Kuch Nirnay Badalne Bhi Pare) . Despite that, to make sure it doesn’t spread and go to villages, that’s our big challenge,” Modi said. On Sunday, the government took a major step by allowing limited passenger train services from Tuesday, for which online bookings start from 11 May. Special trains (total of 30 journeys) will run between Delhi and 14 states.
In his last call with the state CMs, the prime minister had, on 27 April, discussed the exit plan for the second lockdown which ended on 3 May, which was further extended.
While there had been no fatalities in the last 24 hours in Delhi, Maharashtra’s tally rose above 22,000 and more than 800 deaths till Sunday evening. As such Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray expressed desire to extend lock down till May end.
