Lockdown extended until April 30 in Odisha, CM’s appeal to the center: Do not start train and air service till then

• No state statement has come in favor of opening the lockdown yet, 21 day lockdown came into force on 25th March
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi had discussed the lockdown in a meeting with 16 MPs of opposition parties on Wednesday.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday extended the lockdown from 14 April to 30 April. It is the first state to do so. So far, five states had said to increase the lockdown, but this has not been implemented yet. School-colleges in Odisha will remain closed till 17 June. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a 21-day lockdown from March 25 to April 14 across the country to break the Corona infection chain. No decision has been taken to increase it even in the high level meeting of the Group of Ministers.

Prime Minister discussed the lockdown with MPs

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had discussed the lockdown in a meeting with 16 MPs of opposition parties on Wednesday. He told MPs that many state governments and experts have also suggested extending the lockdown period. After this, BJD MP Pinaki Mishra claimed that the Prime Minister has made it clear that the lockdown will not be ended at once. At the same time, Congress Parliamentary Party leader Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary also said that the government can extend the lockdown even after April 14.

The lockdown was discussed in the Group of Ministers meeting

The lockdown was also discussed in the first meeting of the Group of Ministers formed on Corona. The meeting was chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on 7 April. Home Minister Amit Shah was also present in it. After this, the GoM recommended the school-colleges, malls and religious places be closed till May 15. According to sources, the GoM is of the opinion that even if the lockdown does not extend beyond April 14, these activities should remain closed.

The Group of Ministers will discuss the current situation and recommend it to the Prime Minister

The GoM has been entrusted with sending recommendations to the Prime Minister after monitoring the situation arising out of the Coronavirus epidemic in the country. In the last meeting, the minister had come to the conclusion that religious centers, malls and educational institutions should not be allowed to resume normal functioning for four weeks after 14 April. Also, crowds should be monitored by drones at public places such as religious centers and malls. Most of the schools and colleges will remain closed till the end of June due to summer vacation starting from May.