Posted on

Kejriwal on Corona: 4 applause-worthy steps the CM has announced

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal held an online press briefing on Saturday, 21 March, where he gave updates on the status of coronavirus cases and measures in Delhi, to curb the menace.

Kejriwal explained that the state government has been working with the Central government in order to facilitate and implement the measures.

Talking about the figures, Kejriwal said that till now, there are 26 confirmed cases in Delhi and one death. While four of the cases are through local transmission, the other 22 are due to infection by foreign carriers.

Ration relief

Making a big announcement, the Delhi CM, admitting that the situation is causing terrible financial stress on the poor, announced that those receiving ration from fair-price shops would get 50 per cent extra for next month, and also doubled the pension for widows, differently-abled and elderly for this month.

“Seventy-two lakh people in Delhi get ration from fair price shops. Ration per person being increased by 50 per cent. It will be provided free,” the chief minister said.

“We are extremely concerned about daily wagers, labourers amid coronavirus crisis; don’t want anyone to go hungry,” he said, adding that food would be provided for homeless in night shelters.

Social gatherings

The government has also reduced the size of social, religious and political gatherings to not more than five persons.

Stressing on the importance of personal responsibility, washing hands, avoiding physical contact and staying indoors, he appealed to senior citizens to avoid going outdoors, even for morning walks, and to stay inside as much as possible.

Exemption on GST

Meanwhile, people coming from abroad who did not like the quarantine facility conditions, were allowed to stay in certain hotels prepared for this purpose, provided that they paid their own bills. To facilitate this, GST would be exempted on these bills.

Pensions Doubled

The pensions given to 2.5 lakh widows, 5 lakh senior citizens and 1 lakh differently abled people are also being doubled by the state government, Kejriwal said, explaining that this would help tide them over in this tough time.

The Delhi CM ended by saying that the government felt that conditions are not extreme enough to merit a lockdown, and such a policy call would only be taken after due consideration.

Posted on

COVID-19: Modi announced ‘janta curfew’; asks people to not stock up groceries

janta curfew

Amid the ongoing crisis over fast-spreading novel Coronavirus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed Indians for the first time ever.

Urging people not to panic and spread fake news over the issue, Modi talked about the steps taken by the government and civil initiatives that need to be taken to fight the menace.

In his address, PM Modi urged the people to observe ‘janta curfew’, a self-imposed curfew by the public, for the public – on March 22 between 7:00 am and 9:00 pm. He urged people to stay indoors for their own safety.

The Prime Minister urged Indians to avoid coming out of homes as much as possible. “I also urge senior citizens of over 65 years to not step outside their homes in the next few weeks,” said PM Modi.

He further assured that the general groceries and daily need items will never be out of supply so people need not stock them up.

He also asked people to applaud people to applaud the doctors, sanitary workers, government officials and others who are still at the frontline in these times of epidemic.

He also appealed to citizens to come to their doorsteps or balconies at 5 p.m. on Sunday to appreciate the work. “Come to your balconies and courtyards and streets and applaud, ring bells, bang on thalis for those who are working day and night.”

The prime minister also said that a task force will be constituted under the Finance Minister to look ensure all steps are taken to reduce economic difficulties. The task force will make timely interventions for all economic sections of the society, Modi said.

“This crisis is so big and global that all Indians need to combat the situation with resolve,” Modi said. “Saving ourselves from Covid-19 needs to be the primary priority in our lives. The human race and Indians need to win this fight.”

He further asked people to avoid going to hospitals for routine check-ups and postpone elective surgeries.