Shah briefs PM about CMs’ lockdown views

Malls, religious places may partially open June 1

Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him about the suggestions and feedback he got from all the chief ministers on the extension of the nationwide lockdown beyond May 31, officials said. Mr Shah had Thursday had telephonic chats with the CMs, when he sought to know the states’ areas of concern and the sectors they want to open up further from June 1.

Interestingly, till now, it was Mr Modi who interacted with the CMs via video conference before each lockdown extension. This was the first time the home minister spoke to the CMs individually.

Home ministry sources said most CMs wanted the lockdown extended further but wanted greater autonomy for the states on formulating the guidelines on relaxations depending on the ground situation. The CMs, however, agreed that the Centre can set a broad policy framework.

The Centre is expected to announce its decision in the next two days, as the indications are the lockdown will be extended till June 15, but with greater relaxations. The sources said the partial opening of shopping malls, shopping complexes and religious places is likely to be permitted after June 1.

“Most CMs feel since they know the ground situation better, the decision on what economic activities can be allowed should be left to them,” a home ministry official said.

While extending the fourth phase of the lockdown till May 31, the Centre announced continuation of the ban on opening of schools, colleges and malls, but allowed the opening of shops and markets. It said hotels, restaurants, cinema halls, malls, swimming pools and gyms will remain shut even as all social, political, religious functions, and places of worship would remain closed till May 31.

The nationwide curbs were first announced by Prime Minister Narendra

Modi on March 24 for 21 days, and then extended thrice.