Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday interacted with chief ministers of all major states via video conference in a bid to take stock of the COVID-19 situation and suggestions on whether the nation-wide lockdown be extended beyond April 14.
Chief ministers of states including Punjab, Delhi, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have urged the Centre to extend the lockdown in view of increasing cases of virus across the country.
PM Modi said, “I am available 24×7. Any chief minister can speak to me and give suggestions (on COVID-19) anytime. We should stand together shoulder-to-shoulder.”
COVID-19 has affected more than 7400 people across India and 239 people have lost their lives so far.
Ahead of the meeting, Congress leader P Chidambaram had urged chief ministers to demand for the immediate transfer of cash to the poor families.
“CMs should demand that cash be transferred to every poor family immediately. “Remonetise the poor” should be their unanimous demand,” he said.
