Shah meets Modi to convey lockdown thoughts of CMs, plan future strategy

A day after speaking to chief ministers and taking their feedback on the continuation of the lockdown, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday (May 29) met Prime Minister Narendra Modi for further discussion on a final call before the lapse of the deadline of Lockdown 4.0 on May 31.

An NDTV report said the two leaders discussed strategies to re-launch economic activities amid the rising cases of COVID-19.

Shah on Thursday (May 28) had a discussion with chief ministers of all states and Union territories on the possible extension of the lockdown.

According to reports, Shah listened to the opinions of all chief ministers, some of whom shared their apprehensions about lifting the lockdown as well as resuming transportation.

While states like West Bengal are still apprehensive of receiving migrants arriving in Shramik Special trains, as they add to the state’s COVID-19 tally, Haryana on Thursday sealed its borders with Delhi, after districts adjoining the national capital showed a rise in COVID-19 cases.

According to Hindustan Times, states have asked if imposition of restrictions can be limited to containment zones and a range of activities including opening markets, public spaces, enabling more inter-state transport facilities and commercial activity be allowed elsewhere.

After the discussion with Shah, Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant said the lockdown is likely to be extended by two more weeks.

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According to NDTV, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) for the past few days has been busy collating data on progress of the previous lockdowns and preparing a plan based on that to deal with the situation after June 1.

The report said that the way forward would finally be a “political call.”

It is being speculated the Centre may leave it upon states to take a call on lockdown extension or relaxation according to the COVID-19 situation in their respective domains. The Centre’s imposition of the National Disaster Management Act, to deal with the COVID-19 situation had drawn severe criticism from states and political parties, who had accused it of centralising crisis management and tying the hands of states.

The Centre, however, during 4.0 had eased norms, letting the states take a final call.

As part of the relaxations, the Centre had launched special passenger trains (in addition to Shramik trains for migrant labourers) and domestic air services.

The meeting also came on a day when the Supreme Court directed states to bear the travel expenses of stranded migrants for their journey home while instructing the Railways to provide them with meals during the journey.