Timely lockdown saved lakhs of lives: PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation today comes amid an ongoing stand-off between India and China at Ladakh’s Galwan valley and a surge in coronavirus cases that has shown little sign of slowing down.

Prime Minister, in his national address, said that people have become more irresponsible and careless about COVID-19 prevention guidelines since the start of Unlock1.0. He reiterated the importance of social distancing and wearing masks and warned people against letting down their guard against the pandemic.

“In comparison to other countries across the globe, India is still in a very stable situation in the battle against Covid-19. Timely decisions and measures have played a great role,” Modi said.

Prime Minister in his address announced the extension of Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Ann Yojna till 30 November in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have more work during and after the rainy season, mainly in the agriculture sector. There is a slight slowness in other sectors. gradually, the atmosphere of festivals starts to build from July. This time of festivals also increases the needs, the expenses also. Keeping all these things in mind, it has been decided that the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana should now be extended till Diwali and Chhath Puja, that is, by the end of November,” Modi said.

Under the scheme, over 80 crore people are entitled to free five kilos of free wheat or rice, and an additional one kilo of any one pulse per family. The scheme was launched in March after the imposition of lockdown to ensure that loss of livelihoods and restriction on movement should not compound the issue of hunger amongst India’s poorest