PM Narendra Modi to discuss response to COVID-19 with MPs via video-conferencing today
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting with Parliamentary floor leaders of different parties on Wednesday (April 8, 2020) through videoconference to decide the future course of action as far as coronavirus outbreak in India is concerned, among other key issues.
According to Zee Media sources, the interaction is expected to begin around at 10.45 AM.
The primary point on the agenda will be whether to end the shutdown or extend it and if the government wishes to withdraw it, what should be the approach. The current shutdown is slated to end on April 14.
Another point of discussion will be the economic impact of the shutdown on India and how to deal with it. Money released to states, future of daily wage workers who are the worst hit due to total shutdown and scope if any possible economic package will be discussed in the meeting, say sources.
The government is expecting some opposition to the ordinance to suspend MPLADS for two years. Modi will hear their views and try to reason with them, the sources said.
Explaining the current food supply chain, and availability of essentials will definitely feature in the discussion in view of an extension of the ongoing shutdown. Government sources indicated on Tuesday that the government is `considering request` by various Chief Minister against ending the current shutdown on April 14.
Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Thawar Chand Gehlot, Pralhad Joshi, Nirmala Sitharaman among others will be present on behalf of the government along with PM Modi.
The Shiv Sena will be represented by Sanjay Raut, the Lok Janshakti Party by Chirag Paswan, the Samajwadi Party by Prof Ram Gopal Yadav, the Bahujan Samaj Party by Danish Ali and Satish Mishra and the Biju Janata Dal by Pinaki Misra.
