PM likens coronavirus situation to social emergency, says priority is to save lives

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, April 8

Comparing the current coronavirus pandemic situation to a “social emergency requiring tough decisions”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said his government’s priority was to save lives.

Interacting with parliamentary party leaders through video conference, he said the country has been forced to take tough decisions, and must continue to remain vigilant. He also said several state governments, district administrations and health experts have asked for extension of lockdown in the country.

India is currently in the third week of the 21-day lockdown that came into force on March 25.

The government is considering its options, including partial lockdown or blanket extension. Much would depend on the data being generated, with April 10 cut-off being one indicator.

It has been learnt that the prime minister could have another round of interaction with the chief ministers on Sunday before taking a final call.

The Prime Minister said that the entire world was facing the grave challenge of coronavirus, and that the present situation is an “epoch changing event in mankind’s history and we must evolved to counter its impact” an official release said.

Praising the efforts of state governments working together with the Centre in this fight against the pandemic, he noted that the country had witnessed constructive and positive politics through the coming together of all sections of polity to present a united front in this battle.

He also praised the citizens’ contribution to the endeavour, whether it was the social distancing protocol, the “janta curfew” or the lockdown.

“Despite the impact of the emerging situation, as witnessed in the resource constraints, India has been among the few nations to control the pace of spread of the virus till now,” he said, warning that situation was constantly changing and that it was necessary to be vigilant all the time.

Modi said country is facing serious economic challenges as a result of COVID-19, and the government was committed to overcoming them.

Top officials of the Government of India gave detailed presentations on steps being taken to meet the emerging challenges, including status of distribution of benefits under PM Garib Kalyan Yojana.

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said after the meeting that most parties had urged the prime minister to extend the lockdown.

“The PM said he had received similar requests from many CMs and would take a decision after consulting states and public health experts,” he said.