Lockdown Extended till May 3, Opposition Tears Into PM for no Package for Poor, States

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that the lockdown across the country will be extended till May 3 to fight the coronavirus pandemic, saying the measure has produced a significant outcome in containing the infection.

In a nearly 25-minute televised address to the nation, Modi said implementation of the lockdown will be strictly ensured in its second phase and detailed guidelines will be brought out on Wednesday to ensure that outbreak does not spread to new areas.

Some relaxations may be allowed after April 20 in places where there are no hotspots, he said.

"Follow the rules of lockdown with full devotion till May 3, stay where you are, stay safe," Modi told citizens.

Modi said India had managed to contain the pandemic well compared to many developed countries due to its holistic approach in dealing with the crisis and sacrifices made by people of the country in the fight produced tangible results.

The prime minister sought the support of the people in seven areas, including taking care of elderly people, maintaining social distancing and helping the poor and downtrodden.

"If India would not have adopted a holistic approach, if an integrated approach was not initiated, India's situation would have been different (compared to many developed countries). It is clear from the experiences of the past few days that the path we have chosen is right," the prime minister said.

India, he said, received huge benefits from the 21-day lockdown in checking the pandemic, adding that the country has dealt with the situation better with "limited resources".

The lockdown that came into effect on March 25 was to expire at midnight on April 14.

India has reported 10,363 cases of the virus infection and 339 deaths so far.

Where’s Package for Poor, States: Congress

The drastic pan-India lockdown had shone the spotlight on the miseries of lakhs of migrant workers whose journeys on foot from several urban centres to their villages hundreds of kilometres away grabbed headlines for many days last month.

The catastrophic effect of the lockdown on the overall economy and livelihoods of migrant and daily wage workers triggered severe concerns following which a number of chief ministers in their video conference with Modi on Saturday sought some kind of relaxation for a number of sectors.

Meanwhile, the Congress on Tuesday termed as ‘rhetoric and hollow’ on specifics the prime minister's address to the nation, saying there was no mention of a financial package or concrete steps to revive the economy.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala asked where is the country's roadmap to fight coronavirus.

He said leadership does not mean making people realise their responsibilities but to fulfil the government's duty of accountability towards the people of the country.

"A lot of talk has taken place. But, where is the roadmap to fight corona," he asked.

Communist Party of India Marxist general secretary, Sitaram Yechury earlier tweeted: “The least we expect from Modi in his TV address is to declare massive financial support to the states. The States are on the frontline in this battle against the pandemic and this will be won by them.”

The least we expect from Modi in his TV address is to declare massive financial support to the states. The States are on the frontline in this battle against the pandemic and this will be won by them. #COVID19 https://t.co/N4je6NJMS3

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) April 13, 2020

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said, "The poor have been left to fend for themselves for 21+19 days, including practically soliciting food. There is money, there is food, but the government will not release either money or food. Cry, my beloved country," he said on Twitter.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the PM's address was like Hamlet without the Prince of Denmark.

"Amazing PM address. Exhortation, rhetoric, inspiration.....yet hollow on specifics! No financial package, no details, no concrete item. Neither for poor nor middle class nor industry nor businesses. Lockdown is good but cannot be end in itself! Where is single livelihood issue," he asked.

Chidambaram also said that he welcomed the lockdown and understands the reason for its extension. He, however, said the CMs' demand for money elicited no response. 

"Not a rupee has been added to the miserly package of March 25, 2020. From Raghuram Rajan to Jean Dreze, from Prabhat Patnaik to Abhijit Banerji, their advice has fallen on deaf years," the former finance minister said.