Floor leaders seek relief in select areas after April 14

NEW DELHI: Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi told a meeting of parliamentary floor leaders of various political parties on Wednesday that the lockdown may continue for some more time due to the Covid -19 situation and that a final decision on the matter would be taken during the videoconference between the PM and the chief ministers on Saturday, some parties suggested easing of the lockdown after April 14 in select areas, especially outside the nearly 110 Covid-19 hotspot districts, to activate supply chains, essential/critical services and to help farming activities.

“Yes, the PM said there were suggestions from many quarters to continue with the lockdown. The PM said that a final decision will be taken only in consultation with the CMs this Saturday,” said leader of the Opposition, Ghulam Nabi Azad, at an AICC briefing.

Representatives from the Congress, YSRCP, DMK and CPM were among those who wanted the easing of the lockdown in select areas, it is learnt.


Azad, who along with Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, represented the Congress at the meeting, stressed that the PM had “appreciated” some suggestions made by Sonia Gandhi for the unorganised workers.

Many leaders also sought more Central funds, including GST arrears for states, special packages for farmers, including waiver of loans, decentralisation of relief and rehabilitation activities by making the state administrations and CMs the focal point. “Since the CMs and their colleagues are in direct contact with the people, they can effectively lead the relief activities. We also suggested to the PM to constitute working groups of political parties to coordinate these works,” Azad said.

Sanjay Raut (SS) and Sharad Pawar (NCP) complained to the PM about the Maharashtra governor’s attempt to “run a parallel administration” and asserted that he be made to play a supporting role to the CM who is leading the administrative drive against Covid-19. Raut also asked the PM to speak out against the “provocative language used by President Trump”.

CPM MP Elamaram Kareem demanded that agricultural activities be declared an essential service. He also wanted preparations to start early to deal with economic emergencies and demanded that the Centre emulate the ‘Kerala Model’ in containment and relief works.

TRS’ Keshav Rao also sought that the CMs be made responsible for implementing the DTB schemes and that the Centre transfer the funds to the state governments.