HP CM urges PM Modi to extend Covid lockdown, wants alternative for state's apple traders

As Chief Ministers of states met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday to discuss post-May 17 strategy of Covid lockdown, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that it should be extended. In fifth video conferencing between PM and CMs on Monday, Thakur urged to make alternative arrangements for trading of state's apples as operations at Delhi's Azadpur Mandi got affected by spurt in COVID-19 cases, while he also added that lockdown should be extended.

Thakur said Azadpur Mandi, Asia's largest vegetable and fruits wholesale market, is main place for marketing of state's apples. state expects a good produce this year. But with operations at mandi in national capital adversely affected by coronavirus crisis, alternative arrangements must be made for produce, he told prime minister. Thakur also said  ecomy of Himachal Pradesh has been badly affected due to coronavirus-enforced lockdown.

PM Modi assures to ramp up ecomic activities in states in 5th PM-CM COVID-19 meeting

chief minister informed PM Modi that state government has developed a geo-fencing app to ensure that people coming from or states do t jump ir quarantine period. One lakh stranded people have already returned in state. This has resulted in an increase in COVID-19 cases, he added. total number of cases increased by 19 in a week due to returnees, adding at same time it is responsibility of state government to provide all possible help to stranded people.

chief minister furr stated that 55,000 more stranded people want to return to Himachal Pradesh, whereas about 68,000 people stuck in state want to go back to ir native places. State currently has 55 active case, 39 have been recovered, while it has reported 2 deaths. 

PM Modi requests CMs to submit state-specific COVID-19 lockdown strategy by May 15

PM-CM meet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi requested all Chief Ministers to submit a blueprint to deal with various nuances during and after gradual easing of lockdown in ir respective states by May 15. He stressed need for an all-encompassing approach to deal with various challenges that will arise in future. Mentioning that everyone had a reasonable indication of geographical spread of COVID-19, PM highlighted that this would help in having a focused fight against pandemic. Moreover, he stated that country would have to work towards achieving two objectives- to reduce transmission rate of disease and to increase public activity gradually. 

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