Lockdown will hit livelihood, State economy: KCR

Areas with high caseloads will be declared micro-level containment zones

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Thursday conducted an in-depth analysis on why lockdown should not be imposed in the State.

“There is no use in imposing lockdown. Since Telangana is the most happening State in the country, 25 lakh to 30 lakh workers from other States are working here. We have seen how their lives were adversely impacted by the lockdown imposed during the first wave. If they are dislocated, they will not come back,” he said.

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“Moreover, there is a bumper yield of paddy in the State. Paddy is stocked in 6,144 procurement centres in the State for weighing it. Purchasing paddy is not a simple process. There is a chain system involved from bottom to the top. There is involvement of the IKP centre in-charges, hamalis, workers, transport staff and workers at the rice mills and FCI godowns,” the Chief Minister pointed out.

Stating that lakhs of people were involved in the process, the Chief Minister wondered what would happen to workers who came from other States to work in rice mills if lockdown is imposed. “If paddy is not purchased, where will the farmers go? There is a danger of the entire paddy purchasing process coming to a standstill if lockdown is imposed, and this can lead to a crisis,” he said.

“At the same time, we cannot stop the supply of essential commodities, milk, vegetables, fruits, emergency medical services, deliveries, sanitation and other such emergency and essential services,” Chandrashekhar Rao said.

“We are also importing vaccines, medicines and injections from other States. The supply will be affected if the lockdown is imposed. If the lockdown is imposed, the government will be held responsible for creating a panic situation. Hence, the government is not ready to impose lockdown,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the government, however, will identify areas where caseloads are high and declare them as micro-level containment zones and take the required measures.

Pointing out that lakhs of people would lose their livelihood if industries are closed, he said this could lead to a collapse of the State’s economy.

Chandrashekhar Rao also urged people to take part in the fight against Covid voluntarily. He said only through united efforts of all can victory be achieved over the pandemic. He wanted intellectuals and other scholars to educate people in this regard.

He congratulated the Medical and Health Department staff for rendering their services putting their lives at stake. He also appreciated doctors, nurses, Asha workers, ANMs and other medical staff for their selfless services.

Chandrashekhar Rao said reports suggested that the intensity of the second wave would come down by May 15. He wanted people to take precautionary measures to curtail the spread of the virus and asked them to exercise restraint.

He advised people not to move in crowd, more than 100 should not attend marriage ceremonies, frequent use of sanitizers, wearing masks and maintaining physical distance should be observed at all times. Such precautions would only prevent the virus spread, he added.

MLCs Seri Subhash Reddy and Palla Rajeshwar Reddy also participated in the meeting.

Also read:

No lockdown in Telangana: KCR

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