Working to open up economy: PM Modi tells CMs as states demand financial package

As the country stares at a huge economic loss, most of the states demanded the PM to consider a central economic package to cover up the revenue gap during this period.

He asked the states to be extra cautious while dealing with situation post-May 17, when the third phase of the lockdown is scheduled to end.

States like Punjab and Assam demanded that the lockdown be extended.

Others like Telangana and Tamil Nadu urged that railway services and air traffic should not be started.

PM Modi said while social distancing might be still the need of the hour, he pointed out that people can't be restricted from reaching their homes for a long time.

"Before taking a considered view, this time we decided to invite all Chief Ministers to speak," he said during the 5th meeting with CMs via video conferencing on the contagion outbreak.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is in a constant face-off with the Centre, said it is not the time to indulge in politics.

"This is not the time to do politics, don't bulldoze the federal structure," the Bengal Chief Minister, who was reportedly the first to speak, said.

Several states raised the concern over the migrants' situation and demanded financial packages.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said economic activities should resume in the capital city barring the containment zones.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy urged for reopening agricultural markets, public transport, markets and shopping malls to boost economic activities with some SOPs to prevent infection spread.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recommended that rail, road and air traffic be allowed with restrictions and metro services be resumed in the less affected parts of the state.

Chief Ministers like Punjab's Amarinder Singh demanded that stagewise exit from the lockdown can be done based on red, orange and green zones. State administrations must be allowed to decide where restrictions can be eased, he said.

Overall economic measures to help migrants and small as well as medium-scale industries, were also discussed in the meeting.

The worst-affected class has been the migrants, who were left jobless and shelterless since the announcement of countrywide lockdown that is March 25 onwards.

They have been desperately attempting to reach homes, even setting out on foot without bothering for social distancing. Their desperation forced the Centre to start special train and bus services to ferry them home.

This comes even as the country continues to witness an upward steep curve in the number of positive cases. Monday saw the biggest ever jump in the number of fresh infections.

Presently,  India has 67,152 virus affected people with 4,213 new cases in the last 24 hours. The death toll stands at 2,206 with a slight improvement in the recovery rate of the patients.