- When the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi enforced lockdown measures to combat the marauding virulent virus back in March 2020 and subsequent extensions thereof, the whole nation stood behind him solidly backing to the core moves formulated. Lockdown measures was labelled as one of the most stringent in the entire world and leaders showered profuse praise on the Prime Minister for not hesitating to enforce with admirable poise.
PC: Financial Times
- Every subsequent move tackling the hardships of the citizenry was not only well-received but appreciated by one and all. Right from stimulus package announced to mitigate the hardships of the lower strata of the society to moratoriums extended to white-collar class was timely and apt for the occasion. Respective State Governments too deserve equal acknowledgment for backing such moves with single-minded determination standing by the country’s need.
- As is its won’t, the opposition kept raising questions incessantly belittling the efficacy of lockdown moves at every given opportunity. One of the most stridently heard criticism was too little offered to the blue-collar working community in terms of stimulus packages. Though the Finance Ministry did its bit vis-à-vis stimulus packages addressing the immediate concerns, it could not quench the needs of humongous unorganized sector apparently.
PC: Rebellion Voice
- This being the scenario, it was imperative the State Governments started feeling the heat of lockdown induced repercussions in the absence of economic activities with an empty exchequer staring. Hence, the Chief Ministers were vociferous in voicing opinions to kick-start the economic activities without any further delay. By then the issue of migrant laborers too started gaining elephantine proportions what with the majority of them expressing desire to go back to their native places in the absence of work and income.
- Now, the Central and State Governments appeared to be in a bind. What followed next appears nothing but a slew of ad-hoc decisions bereft of pragmatic or sensible thought process on the part of the think-tank. Initially, it was announced that migrant workers could move out of their places of stay, they were then asked to share the cost of fare for the movement to be undertaken in buses, which was changed to train for practical reasons and finally had to be declared as free bowing to the pressure from all corners.
PC: NDTV
- Final straw in the ad-hoc misadventure is opening the liquor outlets which to any discernible individual would seem like inviting trouble and big at that. What purpose would the revenue generation serve if the virus cases spikes uncontrollably leading to complete lockdown yet again? It is incumbent to have in place concrete plans rather than taking umbrage under impromptu decisions. The entire nation looks up to Honourable Prime Minister to be under control and exercise judicious decision making to help tide over the dicey situation.
