NEW DELHI: Speaking at the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on video conference on Monday, Puducherry chief minister V Narayanasamy and his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar were among those nine chief ministers who spoke during the conference and raised the issue of migrants, that seems to have become a major issue since the lockdown.

They demanded that steps are taken by the Centre to resolve this crucial issue. Narayanasamy later said, the CMs demanded that the government should announce a stimulus package on lines of the UPA's 2008 package for revival of the economy.

Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma who said that the state will continue with lockdown beyond May 3 with restrictions on inter-state and inter-district movement. However, essential services and travel due to medical emergency will be allowed, he said.

Mizoram CM Zoramthanga said the state will go by what the Centre decides.

Puducherry CM V Narayanasamy sought Centre’s intervention for providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and other medical equipment for the state’s healthcare warriors and expressed willingness to start industries when the lockdown ends on May 3, seeking financial aid from the Centre.

Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat said the business and trade activities should start in a phase wise manner, with focus on all precautionary measures. “We should look towards easing people’s life by turning the situation to normal. Economic revival is key to moving forward,” he said, pointing out that his state, which is a tourism and pilgrimage destination, has been greatly affected by the lockdown.

Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur said, the state is now in a position to start economic activities. “However, lockdown should continue with regard to the situation in other states.”

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said lockdown will continue in the state till May 3. “We will not dilute the guideline, and will enforce the same,” he said, giving detail on measures taken by his state. “We have started door-to-door screening, like the polio campaign. Four crore people have been screened,” he said.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik preferred continuing the lockdown, beyond May 3, but said that it is important that economic activities should be allowed. “I sincerely urge the Union government to initiate measures to kickstart economy as we work together to curb the disease,” said Patnaik.

Haryana CM Manoharlal Khattar asked the Centre to clarify at the earliest when and how the competitive examinations like CDS, JEE, NEET, etc will take place. He informed the Centre that industrial and agricultural activity has started in the state maintaining the norms laid out by the home ministry since April 20.

While she did not speak at Monday’s meeting West bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee later issued a statement where among other issues she flagged she asked how some establishments could be allowed to open up and yet have people not crowding to them. She pointed out that it would be difficult to maintain social distancing norms if shops are allowed to open.



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