Panaji, April 7 (IANS) Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday hinted at a possible relaxation of norms at the end of the 21-day lockdown to fight the Covid-19 pandemic on April 14.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Sawant said that the state cabinet would meet on Wednesday to decide on the steps to be taken in case the Central government relaxes the lockdown norms after April 14.
“The cabinet will take views and suggestions of what is to be done after April 14. We have already locked the borders, but what other precautions are need to be taken if the Centre relaxes the norms,” the Chief Minister asked.
The cabinet meeting is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
“As of now, there is no major problem in the state. After the issuance of passes (travel permits), there does not seem to be a major issue. Goods and vegetable movement is also smooth. There are no complaints,” said Sawant, whose administration had been criticised during the early part of the lockdown for being unable to plug the food and grocery shortage in Goa.
The Chief Minister also said that the Covid-19 crisis had impacted the finances of the government as well as the private industries, and urged the pressure groups not to seek a financial package given the current circumstances.
“We cannot provide a package for any particular business. They should understand that the government is passing through an economic crisis. We will announce an economic revival committee within two days. It is not fair to expect a (financial) package from the state at this time,” Sawant said.
–IANS
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