Srinagar : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has affirmed that the economy is returning back on track of normalisation after two weeks of the first phase of nationwide unlock.
According to news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) in his opening remarks during his interaction with the Chief Ministers of 21 States and Union Territories through video conference, Modi said that the views and experiences of all states and Union Territories will be discussed to strategize future roadmap of nation’s fight against the global pandemic.
He affirmed that the preemptive and proactive response of the Government placed the country in a better position to address the COVID challenge.
He highlighted the timely decisions taken by the government and early preparedness approach which helped the country to chalk out measures to save many lives. He said, when India’s fight against COVID19 will be analysed in future, this time will be remembered for how the Centre and States worked together in fighting the pandemic. He said it served as an example of cooperative federalism. He said, in the last few weeks, thousands of Indians returned to India from abroad and hundreds of migrant workers reached their home towns.
The Prime Minister said that even a single loss of life due to COVID is saddening and the nation should not lower it’s guard even during the unlock. He urged every citizen to strictly follow all necessary precautions including wearing a mask, maintaining Do Gaj ki Doori and washing hands regularly with soap.
Highlighting the recovery rate of over 50 per cent from COVID-19, Prime Minister Modi said, many countries are discussing the steps taken by the Indian Government during the lockdown which helped achieve an infrastructure which has been able to treat a large number of patients efficiently.
He said the green shoots of rejuvenating the economy visible after two weeks into unlock -1 emboldens the belief that through concerted efforts of all states the country can re-stabilise the economy.
Modi highlighted the increased sale of fertilizers, larger year on year sowing of Kharif Crops, Digital payments in retail sector as few benchmarks which he said showed the country drifting into the pre-covid economic track.
Modi also mentioned the historic reforms introduced by the government, including to provide automatic collateral free loans to MSMEs and to boost agrarian economy as measures which will ensure creation of strong and sustained demand in the country. He also hailed the decision of creation of cluster based markets, emphasising that the decision will assist in growth of regional economies benefitting far flung areas of the country.
