There was an escalated interest regarding Monday’s virtual meeting between the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers since all the CMs, unlike earlier editions of such meetings were to get an opportunity to convey their respective views on the most important decision the whole country is awaiting for, which is fate of the lockdown. The meeting can be called as a fine example of taking forward the idea of cooperative federalism as the CMs have had the opportunity to put forward their opinions, which will form the collective base in arriving at the decision. Expectedly there were differences, with some batting for reopening of economic activities and others still in ‘conservative’ mode. But the biggest takeaway of the meeting is that quite a good number of Chief Ministers have asked the Prime Minister to allow them to play a bigger role in handling the crisis by giving them the authority to form as well as change the respective state-centric lockdown guidelines and of course, the much-clamoured central economic package.

Now that the meeting which was the 5^th in a row of such virtual PM-CMs meet has ended, the great inquisitiveness which has gripped the country is what will be the probable decision regarding the lockdown. As of now, it can only be assumed that it will be a difficult choice for the central government to arrive at a final decision which will have the capability to satisfy all stakeholders. Differences were clearly visible as at least five states were of the view that keeping an eye on the current situation, it will be better for extension of the lockdown. On the other hand, at least four CMs have vehemently opposed the idea of resumption of train services due to fear of rapid escalation of cases. This is a strange situation and the clash of ‘life vs livelihood’ that has been a fundamental feature of the crisis has once more been touched during the 6-hour meeting.

The ball is now in the Centre’s court and it will be interesting to keep track as to with how much skill the much-needed ‘balancing act’ will be performed. But, irrespective of the decisions taken, it needs a further reiteration that the fundamental aspects of the current national crisis must be prioritised. For mitigating the woes of the migrant workers and their safe passage to their respective home states, the Centre must devise a common formula which all the involved states must obey. At the same time, to revive the drying exchequers of the states, particularly in the Northeast, a central package must be released without further wait.

Both are important- lives and economics. To strike a harmony between the two and to swim over the difficult times caused due to the still-unbeatable pandemic, it is time to reinvent cooperative federalism. 

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List