PM Should Have Announced Package Earlier: Chhattisgarh CM

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that the Rs 20 lakh crore economic package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday evening should have come earlier. In a televised address to the nation, Modi announced a massive package to revive the coronavirus-hit economy.

"Earlier Congress chief Sonia Gandhi in a letter to thePM had sought special package particularly for MSMEs sector," Baghel saidhere. "The Chhattisgarh government had also requested the PM to allocatefinancial assistance of Rs 30,000 crore so that the economy can be put on trackduring this crisis. The package should have been declared earlier. It has beendelayed," he said.

It was not yet clear what this package has for farmers, labourers, MSMEs, and cottage industries and it will be known after the Union finance minister provides details on Wednesday, the chief minister added. Baghel reiterated his demand that the Centre allow state governments to demarcate on their own the red, green, and orange zones denoting coronavirus situation in the fourth phase of lockdown.

State BJP legislative party leader Dharamlal Kaushik saidthe package announced by Modi will prove to be a milestone and give a boost tothe development of the country. "The entire country is standing by the PMin his every decision. The extension of the lockdown will be done based on thesuggestions made by the state governments and we all should comply withwhatever decision comes in order to fight COVID-19 and achieve victory overit," he said.