Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi (SHP)

New Delhi, Apr 10: After Modi had the first round of discussions regarding the lockdown, it was stated that the final call on extending the 21-day lockdown would be taken only after the Prime Minister had deliberated on the matter with the chief ministers of different states on Saturday, Apr 11. Although the extension of the lockdown is being strongly suggested by health experts as well as the state heads, an official announcement on the same is likely to be done on Sunday evening.

The lockdown if extended could, however, come with some sector-specific relaxations as a prolonged shutdown will have massive economic repercussions. Interstate movement will continue to remain restricted, except for essential services, sources have said.

Meanwhile, Odisha on Thursday had become the first state to extend the lockdown till April 30, just two days before video-conference meeting between Modi and other chief ministers.

Another chief minister who strongly advised the extension is Telangana’s, K Chandrashekar Rao. "The Centre and all other state governments have lost revenue during the lockdown period. The only positive outcome of this is that we are able to protect our people," he said.

He also cited a study by the Boston Consulting Group, which said the extension of the lockdown should be at least till the end of June. “Lockdown is the only weapon we have to control the spread of this disease and avoid a situation which countries like the US, Spain and Italy are facing," he said at a news conference.

However, the Maharashtra government is considering lifting the lockdown in phases, where the supply of essential services such as gas cylinders are streamlined first. Following which will be those sectors that cannot rely on work from home. But, local trains, schools and colleges will remain shut for longer.

“Precautions should be taken that there is no crowding," CM Thackeray tweeted, referring to the possibility of if the lockdown lifted in phases.

Modi had in an all-party meeting told floor leaders of the opposition and other parties in Parliament that the nationwide lockdown will not be lifted in one go on April 14, according to BJD's Pinaki Misra.

However, the government has not made any assertion on whether it is going to extend the current lockdown or not. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said his government will extend the lockdown if the need arises, while his counterpart in Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot said the state cannot withdraw the lockdown immediately, and it has to be done in a phased manner.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has said in its monetary policy report that the outlook for India's economic recovery has been sharply altered by the coronavirus outbreak and the resulting lockdown