Citing constant spike in number of COVID-19 cases, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edapaddi K Palaniswami requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to resume Air and Train services in their state till 31st of May.
Yesterday, news broke out that government is planning to start passenger train services to and from Chennai from Tuesday (May 12) and regarding to this only he said, “As the positive cases in Chennai are showing an increasing trend, don’t permit train service up to May 31, in my State.” He made a similar demand in respect of regular air services.
A videoconferencing meeting of various CMs with Mr Modi was held yesterday in which Mr. Palaniswami also sought financial aid including refinancing support of ₹2,500 crore to the Tamil Nadu Industrial Investment Corporation through SIDBI and Commercial Banks to extend support to MSMEs. A copy of his address to Mr Modi was released to the media.
Recalling his state’s efforts to combat COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Palaniswami said uptil 10 May, Tamil Nadu had tested 2,43,037 samples and 7,204 persons were found positive. Besides, 59,610 contacts and “suspected persons” are under active quarantine. Effective medical treatment has ensured that the death rate in Tamil Nadu is the lowest at 0.67% and added that the discharge rate was 27% with 1,959 patients recovering. He reiterated his request for supplying more PCR testing kits.
According to one Chief Minister who spoke to The Hindu news reporter, Mr. Modi indicated that a full exit from the lockdown was not possible in the current circumstances, especially since five Chief Ministers, including West Bengal, Telangana and Bihar asked for an extension.
However he praised the State governments for their work in containing the pandemic till now, and said it was to be a united effort.
