An anguished Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday rued that some people are not taking the lockdown in the country seriously in the wake of Coronavirus pandemic and appealed to the people to save their family members and themselves by strictly adhering to the directions being given by the State and Central Governments. He also requested the State Governments to make people adhere to the lockdown.
“Many people are still not taking the lockdown seriously. Please save yourself by doing this, save your family, follow the instructions seriously. I request the State Governments to get the rules and laws followed,” Modi Tweeted in the morning.
Later, Prime Minister interacted with industry representatives via video conference from ASSOCHAM, FICCI, CII and several local Chambers from 18 cities across the country.
He appealed to the corporate to be united in dealing the economic and social issues in the current chaotic situation even as he reiterated that the companies should not go for retrenchments or salary cuts. Modi asked the corporate houses to be passionate to their manpower and provide all sorts of help to them as well as to the society in upholding the corporate social responsibility.
Soon after the Prime Minister’s meeting, Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries declared that they have geared up the production of one lakh masks per day and increased the production of other hospital related materials. They also offered support to free meal schemes across the country and fuel supply. Industrialist Anand Mahindra too pitched in for production of ventilators.
The Prime Minister said that while the government was working on giving a fillip to the pace of growth in the country, an unforeseen hurdle in the form of COVID-19 came in front of the economy. He said that the challenge posed by the pandemic is graver than even that posed by the World Wars and we need to be on constant vigil to prevent its spread. Modi told the barons that the fulcrum of the economy is trust.
“Trust has a unique yardstick - it is earned or lost in difficult and challenging times. The parameters of trust are at a critical juncture in various sectors of the economy. Several sectors like tourism, construction, hospitality and daily life engagements including the informal sector have been hit due to COVID-19. The impact on the economy will be felt for some time to come,” said Modi to the industrialists.
The industry representatives thanked the Prime Minister for leading from the front and taking swift, front-footed action to counter the threat. They informed the Prime Minister about the steps being taken by them to maintain supply lines of essential items and medical equipment including ventilators, assistance in creation of isolation wards, utilisation of CSR funds for combating COVID-19 and provision of assistance to migrant labour.
“They discussed the specific issues being faced by sectors like banking, finance, hospitality, tourism, infrastructure and requested for help to overcome these challenges through financial and fiscal assistance. Industry representatives also appreciated the importance of instituting a lockdown, irrespective of economic losses, to prevent the spread of the virus. Prime Minister thanked the industry representatives for speaking in one voice on the needs of the unorganised sector and said that this marks a new dawn of economic integration. He asked them to allow employees to work from home wherever doing so is feasible through using technology. He exhorted them to adopt a humanitarian approach and not to cut down on workforce in spite of the negative impact on their businesses,” said the PMO in a statement.
Modi reiterated about the importance of ‘swachhta’ and following medical advice to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at factories, offices and workplace. He added that social distancing remains our biggest weapon in our fight against preventing the spread of the virus. He also requested them to use their CSR funding for humanitarian causes related to the pandemic at this critical juncture. Principal Secretary, Cabinet Secretary and Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade also participated in the interaction.
Later, Prime Minister also convened separate meeting with Pharma company owners and TV channels’ editors. He praised the media for their work during the crisis period and asked the editors to ensure the health and welfare of reporters and cameraman working whole day and night in the field.
He also thanked the Air India crew for their courageous work in airlifting people from Covid-19 affected countries.
He also thanked the heads of Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh for offering initial funds to the Covid Fund created by SAARC nations. India has donated 10 million dollars in the fund. Si Lanka has donated five million dollars and Maldives donated two million dollars. Bangladesh donated 1.5 million dollars and Afghanistan donated one million dollars for the Covid-19 Fund.
