It will not be possible to lift the lockdown in one go, says Modi

The country is going through a ‘social emergency’, PM tells political parties

09/04/2020, SOBHANA K. NAIR ,NEW DELHI

At a videoconference on Wednesday with parties’ floor leaders in Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it won’t be possible to lift the 21-day nationwide lockdown in one go as scheduled for April 14. He, however, noted that he would consult the Chief Ministers before deciding the exit strategy.

Speaking at the end of a nearly three-and-a-half-hour meeting, Mr. Modi said the country was going through a “social emergency”.

Many countries are using lockdown and physical distancing to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. “In the coming days, you have suggested that the lockdown should not be lifted all of a sudden, it should be staggered. Till now, the suggestions I have been getting are that it won’t be so simple to lift the lockdown. We will have to take some strong measures to ensure social distancing,” he said.

Mr. Modi thanked the parties for their support. “Today, the situation in the country is akin to a social emergency; it has necessitated tough decisions and we must continue to remain vigilant,” he said, and sought their continued support. “Kareeb, Kareeb yeh mood ban raha hai ki ek dum se lockdown uthana sambhav nahi hoga (The general mood is that it won’t be possible to lift the lockdown at one go).”

Leaders from 18 political parties attended the interaction. Top Central officials gave presentations on the steps being taken to meet the emerging challenges, including the status of distribution of benefits under the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana.

The Congress supported an extension to the lockdown. Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said, “There is no question of supporting it or opposing it. It is a decision to be taken by the government. If they consult everyone before taking the decision, we shall welcome it.” The majority of the parties felt that there should be a calibrated exit from the lockdown, he added.