'What after May 17?' asks Sonia as Cong CMs seek economic revival plan

‘What after May 17’ seemed to be the dominant question asked at a meeting of Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states on Wednesday (May 6).

Congress president Sonia Gandhi sought to know the criteria adopted by the government on continuing the lockdown.

India has been under lockdown since March 25 to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. The first and second phases of the lockdown was from March 25 to April 14 and April 15 to May 3, respectively.

The third phase began on May 4 and would end on May 17. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi were part of the meeting held through video-conferencing.

“After May 17, what? and after May 17, how? What criteria is the Government of India using to judge how long the lockdown is to continue…,” Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala quoted Sonia Gandhi as saying in the meeting.

Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi holds a meeting with Congress Chief Ministers to review how States are tackling COVID19 & the lockdown and assess their needs. pic.twitter.com/Pu6xFpmnJL

— Congress (@INCIndia) May 6, 2020

She thanked farmers, particularly of Punjab and Haryana, for ensuring food security by giving bumper wheat produce despite all odds.

Dr. Singh said, “We need to know, as Soniaji said, what will happen after lockdown 3.0?
Soniaji has already pointed out. CMs need to deliberate and ask as to what is the strategy of the Government of India to get the country out of the lockdown.”

Rahul Gandhi said the central piece of the strategy to fight COVID-19 was to protect the elderly as well as those who were diabetic and with heart conditions.

Punjab’s plan

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said he had set up two committees, one to strategise on how to come out of the lockdown and the other on economic revival. “The concern is people in Delhi are deciding on classification of (COVID-19) zones without knowing what is happening on the ground,” he said at the meeting.

Rajasthan seeks package

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said, “unless an extensive stimulus package is given, how will the states and the country run? We have lost Rs.10,000 crore in revenue.” He said the states had repeatedly requested the Prime Minister for a package. “But we are yet to hear from the Government of India,” the CM said.

Economic crisis: Baghel

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said, “States are facing a dire economic crisis. They need to be provided with immediate assistance.” He said Chhattisgarh was one state where 80 per cent of small industries had restarted and nearly 85,000 workers returned to work.

No consultation: Narayanaswamy

The Centre is deciding on COVID-19 zones without consulting states, Puducherry Chief Minister V.  Narayanasamy said. “This is creating an anomalous situation. People in Delhi cannot tell the states. No State or CM is consulted. Why?” he asked.  “The PM is not saying a word on economic package for states,” he said.

The Congress president is also likely to discuss the issue of migrant labourers and workers stranded at various places and steps taken by the states in bringing them back to their home states.

Sonia Gandhi had announced on Monday that the state units of the Congress party would pay the train fare of migrants going to their native states. She also criticised the central government for charging them train fare.