GOVT SAYS NO EXTENSION OF LOCKDOWN BEYOND 21 DAYS: DIRECTS STATES, UTs TO TAKE CARE OF MIGRANT WORKERS

GOI has denied report that there is plan to extend the 21-day nationwide lockdown beyond April 14 to combat spread of COVID-19.   Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba issued the clarification on Monday, 30 March 2020 after thousands of migrant labourers undertook long journeys from major urban centres on foot to their homes in the last five days as all construction work and other non-essential services remain suspended rendering them jobless. The central government has already directed states to make arrangements for shelter and food for the migrant workers.  Press Information Bureau said: “There are rumours & media reports, claiming that the Government will extend the #Lockdown21 when it expires. The Cabinet Secretary has denied these reports, and stated that they are baseless.” A Group of Minister headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday carried out a comprehensive review of the situation arising out of the lockdown, including movement of the migrant labourers. There have been fears that the lockdown may spark severe economic and social distress. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said the sudden lockdown had created immense “panic” and “confusion”. He called for steps other than a total lockdown announced by some developed nations to tackle the deadly disease. Union Ministry of Home Affairs headed by Amit Shah has directed the Union Territories to provide shelter and food to the migrant workers. MHA has also directed all states to quarantine migrant workers reaching their borders in temporary shelters for a mandatory two-week period after proper medical screening. The government estimates that close to 300,000 migrant workers have breached the lockdown and hit the roads. The order has also made mandatory for establishments to pay wages to the  migrant labourers leaving their places of work in major cities