PM MEET WITH CMS: WHILE TN CHIEF MINISTER ASKS CENTRE NOT TO RESUME TRAIN SERVICES, OTHER STATES HAVE THEIR OWN DEMANDS!

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, held a video conference with Chief Ministers today to focus on a strategy for a phased exit from the lockdown. During the meeting, he stressed on his government's efforts to fight against the spread of coronavirus.

"Before taking a considered view, this time we decided to invite all Chief Ministers to speak," said PM Modi. This meeting comes a day after the government took a major step by allowing limited passenger train services from May 12.  

Amid the meeting, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was the first one to speak up. She attacked the centre by saying it was "using coronavirus as an excuse to play politics. This is not the time to do politics, don't bulldoze the federal structure."

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palanisamy requested PM Modi not to resume flights and trains this month especially in Chennai as the COVID-19 cases are on spike rise in the state. 

Other state chief minister like Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy stressed on reopening agricultural markets, public transport, markets and shopping malls with some SOPs to prevent infections.

Other state ministers have also raised concerns about the crisis for migrants, economic measures to help migrants, small and medium industries and to help revive consumption in each state.

Amid a spike in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, the chief minister have demanded a graded exit from the lockdown based on red, orange and green zones. This meeting is expected to continue till 9.30 pm with a 30-minute break at 6:00 pm.   

State governments should get the right to take decisions on handling of economic activities within their states. They should also get the responsibility to declare red, green & orange zones: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel during video conference with PM Modi over #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/iuC5j6dlZC

— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2020

Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh during video conference with PM Narendra Modi today pitched for extension of the lockdown but with a carefully crafted strategy, backed by fiscal & economic empowerment of the states, to save lives and secure livelihood: Punjab CM's Office pic.twitter.com/xxBzeh9Gnj

— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2020

Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to resume the passenger train services, which were stopped as part of preventive measures to contain the spread of #coronavirus in the country: Telangana CM's Office (CMO) pic.twitter.com/YkaOlx5wMn

— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2020

As positive cases in Chennai are showing an increasing trend, don't permit train service up to May 31 in Tamil Nadu. I request you not to begin regular Air services till May 31: Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami at PM Narendra Modi's video conference meeting with CMs. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/hlAuMXadbT

— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2020

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee takes part in the video conference with Chief Ministers over #COVID19 under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. pic.twitter.com/jQpUngWzQe

— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2020

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 5th video conference meeting with Chief Ministers underway. Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also present. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/BAAaudPe75

— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2020