New Delhi, May 29: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and informed him about the views of all chief ministers on the extension of the ongoing nationwide lockdown beyond May 31, officials said.
During the meeting, Shah briefed Modi about the suggestions and the feedback he received from the chief ministers during his telephonic conversations on Thursday, a government official said.
The nationwide curbs were first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24 for 21 days in a bid to contain the spread of novel coronavirus. It was first extended till May 3 and then again till May 17. The lockdown was further extended till May 31.
The home minister's telephonic conversations with the chief ministers came just three days before the end of the fourth phase of the lockdown.
During his talks with the chief ministers, Shah sought to know the areas of concern of the states and the sectors they want to open up further from June 1, the official said.
Interestingly, till now, it was Modi who had interacted with all chief ministers through video conference before the extension of each phase of the coronavirus-induced lockdown and sought their views.
This was for the first time that the home minister spoke to the chief ministers individually before the end of another phase of the lockdown.
Shah was present in all the conferences of chief ministers along with the prime minister. It is understood that the majority of the chief ministers wanted the lockdown to continue in some form but also favoured opening up of the economic activities and gradual return of the normal life, another official said.
The central government is expected to announce its decision on the lockdown within the next two days.
The number of COVID-19 cases in India has climbed to 1,65,799 on Friday, making it the world's ninth worst-hit country by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Health Ministry said the death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 4,706 in the country. While extending the fourth phase of the lockdown till May 31, the central government had announced the continuation of the prohibition on the opening of schools, colleges and malls but allowed the opening of shops and markets.
It said hotels, restaurants, cinema halls, malls, swimming pools, gyms will remain shut even as all social, political, religious functions, and places of worship will remain closed till May 31.
The government, however, allowed limited operations of the train and domestic flights. The Indian Railways is also running special trains since May 1 for transportation of migrant workers from different parts of the country to their native states.
Comments
Let this fellow think for a while what could have been his approach when his daughter is put in Asifa's place. It gives suspicion that Mr. Gupta has some "Gupta" link with accused?. Why these fellows are devoid of humanity at least??......
Its a Small Issue to you because you are not a Human and that girl is not your Daughter. Cant imagine if you have a Daughter how she will react by hearing your Comments. Shame on you..
Really it is a small issue if you agrees that it also applies to my daughter,sister,and mother.
Mr. Gupta, it is a small issue because the innocent girl raped was not your daughter.
Aren't you a human, a father? Don't you have a child? Why don't they think before uttering words?
Not surprised. This is what I expect from Sangh Parivar. Your language shows your culture
If this is minor, then what is a major incident? Just because the girl is a Muslim the incident become a small issue for you?
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