Not averse to imposing harsher COVID-19 measures : Amarinder Singh

At a virtual conference (VC) meeting of his cabinet, which reviewed the Covid situation, the Chief Minister, in response to a suggestion from Expert Health Advisory Committee chairman Dr K K Talwar, said if needed, the state government would consider going in for strong measures to combat the coronavirus.

Though he did not rule out lockdown, especially in areas with high spike in cases, Capt Amarinder made it clear that economic activity will not be allowed to suffer.

Earlier, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, who is heading the Expert Group for revival of the state’s economy, also said any measures to check the Covid spread should not impact economic activity.

Montek also reiterated, while briefing the cabinet on the Group’s initial recommendations, that there was no suggestion made on withdrawal of free power to farmers, as was being projected by a section of the media. He clarified this on the Chief Minister’s remarks that a lot of misinformation was being spread on this count.

Montek said the Group was in favour of diversification to reduce dependence on Paddy, and wanted Punjab to spend 20 per cent more per year, for the next five years, on development public health infrastructure.