Telangana CM KCR to seek stimulus package from Centre

Hyderabad: What will be the outcome of the fifth video conference between the Prime Minister and the Chief Ministers? This assumes importance as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to ascertain the views of all the CMs. In the past, the PM used to select nine Chief Ministers during each of the video conference.

The Prime Minister would be seeking the opinion of the Chief Ministers on whether the national lockdown should be lifted after May 17 or should it be extended till the end of May. It is learnt that some chief ministers are of the opinion that since there are States like Kerala and some North Eastern States where the cases are almost zero and hence the decision to extend or lift the lockdown should be left to the respective state governments. 

The Telangana Chief Minister would of course inform the PM that he had announced extension of the lockdown till May 29 and the reasons for it. He may express his willingness for the States being given freedom to decide rather than impose national lockdown. He is also getting ready to present a detailed status report on the impact of lockdown on all sectors mainly industrial units and the challenges faced by the State to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus despite taking a slew of stringent measures. KCR is likely to seek a stimulus package for the revival of the industry mainly medium and small industries which provided nearly 20 lakh jobs to people.

Official sources said that the CM is keen to bring to the notice of the Prime Minister about the impending crisis in the entire manufacturing and services sectors. He will also explain the current financial status of the State and reiterate his demand for increase in FRBM and permission to raise more loans and will inform him about the relaxations given by the state government so far. He will also explain the measures taken to protect farmers interests. The stringent measures taken to contain Covid-19, central assistance to Telangana in containing the number of cases will also be discussed during the video conference.