'Withdrawal of lockdown a major challenge,' says Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday termed withdrawal of lockdown a major challenge, said that his government was in favour of a “modified lockdown” in state. It, however, depends on government of India, he added.

Gehlot said state government was examining and exploring possibilities of something on lines of a “modified lockdown” at local level.

“If lockdown continues, we would see wher is it possible to create a situation at local level which can be called a 'modified lockdown'. This is my own thought and it depends on government of India how far this can be executed. next phase of lockdown is dependent on centre. If possible, we would try a modified lockdown,” he said.

“This is my own thought. It depends on government of India how far this can be executed. If possible, we would try for a modified lockdown,” Gehlot added.

chief minister said state government's committee was brainstorming on possibility of giving relaxations to industries in which internal resources like labour are available and to interstate transportation.

“Imposing a lockdown is easy but withdrawing it a big challenge. It will have to be withdrawn. If t after a period of 21 days, it will have to be withdrawn 15 days later. ecomy will come on track when financial activities like opening shops, industries will take place and n only state and centre will get revenues,” he told reporters at a briefing held via video-conferencing here.

chief minister reiterated his demand of a stimulus pack for country to overcome ecomic crisis. He said financial condition of states has deteriorated and Centre should anunce a grant of Rs 1 lakh crore.

Gehlot also demanded to raise limit of fiscal deficit from three per cent, as per Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Manment Act, to five per cent and or measures to help states.

He said former finance minister Yashwant Sinha was of opinion that more currency tes should be printed to tackle current crisis.

“ financial conditions of states have weakened and re is a drastic decline in revenue collection. We are doing good financial manment in Rajasthan but situation of any state may deteriorate in this difficult time refore centre should come forward to anunce a pack,” Gehlot said.

“ Centre has RBI and resources and it can print more currency tes. Former minister Yashwant Sinha has said that tes should be printed in this time of crisis,” he added.

Expressing concern on rising number of COVID-19 patients in Jaipur, Gehlot said that it has become a challenge for state government and all efforts were being made to contain spread.

He, however, asserted that situation was under control despite rising number of cases. chief minister said government has ordered 10 lakh rapid testing kits. re has been requirement of ventilators for treatment of COVID-19 patients in state so far, he added.

“In Bhilwara, we controlled spread through ruthless containment model. All possible efforts are being made in Jaipur's Ramganj area also. All places where re are cases will be treated in same way and we will win fight against coronavirus with cooperation of all,” Gehlot said.

In Jaipur, he said, quarantine facilities have been set up in hostels and hotels, and possibilities were being explored to use stadiums as well.

On a question related with job security, chief minister said industrialists should consider ir staff as family members and see that y do t face difficulties.

He informed that apart from 10 lakh rapid testing kits, state has ordered 1.5 lakh PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment).