Opposition-ruled states readying plan for life after April 14

NEW DELHI: Opposition-ruled state governments are readying action plans and wish lists for resources from the Centre to deal with social and economic challenges after the 21-day nationwide lockdown ends on April 14.
Since efforts to contain the outbreak will continue alongside efforts to ease the lockdown, the coming weeks and months will be doubly challenging for states, some CMs and senior ministers told ET.

These states are now framing proposals - to be sent to the Centre before April 15 as the PM had asked the chief ministers - on ways to lift the lockdown and also setting up various internal committees to prepare tasks, including how to deal with the demands of farmers, construction workers and the micro, small and medium enterprises.

"I have now set up war-rooms and committees comprising senior officials and experts that will frame the tasks for gradual lifting of the lockdown even though it is for the Centre to decide on when and how the lockdown can be relaxed," said Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot. "...the guidelines and action plan for relaxing the lockdown will have to be states-specific as every state has its own issues and challenges... the need for funds for relief and rejuvenation remains top priority," he added.

Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel said: "Being a producer of many agricultural items and material including steel and cement, Chhattisgarh would need the Centre to facilitate transportation of our produce to other parts of the country and market them." He also said farmers and local factory workers, who are among the worst hit due to the lockdown, would need funds to tide over the crisis and return to work. "I am in discussions with my colleagues and senior officials on these matters," he added.

E Chandrasekharan, the revenue minister of Kerala, said the state has set up a 17-member task force to frame proposals on gradual lifting of the lockdown. The government has also taken steps for the restricted reopening of its tea, coffee, cashew and spices estates, with strict guidelines on the number of employees per hectare. "We now face the task of rehabilitating our farmers and workers, including 'guest workers' (migrant labourers) and reviving Kerala's key sectors including agriculture, fisheries, tourism and construction," he said.

Kerala is also seeking a Covid-19 specific relief and rehabilitation package from the Centre and also early release of its GST share, he said.

Senior Maharashtra Minister Ashok Chavan said: "Our total focus now is to combat and contain the Covid-19 outbreak...only then can we move to the task of when and how the lockdown can be eased out. Once it starts happening, we will have to find ways to meet the financial crisis of farmers, workers, small and medium businesses."

Puducherry CM V Narayanasamy said: "Apart from seeking early disbursal of GST share, I have already sought a special grant from the Centre and also a relief and rehabilitation package to deal with the lifting of the lockdown."