Amit Shah speaks to all CMs; seeks views on lockdown extension

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to all chief ministers on Thursday, May 28, and sought their views on the extension of the ongoing nationwide lockdown beyond May 31, officials said.

The telephonic conversations of the home minister came just three days before the end of the fourth phase of the lockdown.

The nationwide curbs were first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24 for 21 days in a bid to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. It was first extended till May 3 and then again till May 17. The lockdown was further extended for the third time till May 31.

“The home minister spoke to all chief ministers and sought their views on extending the lockdown beyond May 31,” a home ministry official said.

“During his talks with the chief ministers, Shah sought to know the areas of concern of the states and the sectors they want to open up further from June 1,” the official said.

Interestingly, till now, it was Prime Minister Modi who had interacted with all chief ministers through video conference before the extension of each phase of the coronavirus-induced lockdown and sought their views.

This was for the first time that the home minister spoke to the chief ministers individually before the end of another phase of the lockdown.

Shah was present in all the conferences of chief ministers along with the prime minister.

Details of the views of the chief ministers were not known immediately but it is understood that the majority of them wanted the lockdown to continue in some form but also opening up of the economic activities and gradual return of the normal life, another official said.

The Union government is expected to announce its decision on the lockdown within the next three days.