TN supports extending curbs, wants 2 lakh test kits from Centre

Briefing reporters about the video conference and a subsequent Cabinet meeting, Chief Secretary K Shanmugam said several Chief Ministers opined that under the present circumstances the lockdown should be extended and if not, all efforts taken so far to check COVID-19 will fail.

"Our Chief Minister too has favoured extension of lock down in Tamil Nadu by at least two weeks based on experts recommendation," he said.

A 19-member expert panel had on Friday favoured extending curbs for 14 more days to Chief Minister Palaniswami.

"The Cabinet meeting decided to implement the decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on extending the lockdown at the national level," Shanmugam said.

Palaniswami has briefed the Cabinet on the views of several CMs on prolonging curbs and the recommendation of the State's expert panel to extend restrictions by 14 more days.

"Tamil Nadu government will take a decision on extending lockdown based on the announcement of the PM on the matter," he said.

He also said Palaniswami is considering the state government foot the cost of coronavirus test done by private hospitals in Tamil Nadu.

According to him, the state currently has about 29,000 corona patient isolation beds and a group of officials are looking at the infrastructure available across the state to augment the bed capacity to treat three lakh patients.

Shanmugam said another official group is dealing with the numbers projection daily based on the new positive cases reported.

The Chief Secretary said the Tamil Nadu government is admitting all corona patients in hospitals even though the central government has recommended serious patients to be admitted to intensive care units (ICUs), moderately ill patients in isolation wards in hospitals and mildly suffering patients be treated at their homes.

As for the sufferings of Tamil Nadu farmers unable to harvest and market their produce, Shanmugam said agriculture field officers have been asked to get in touch with the farmers in their respective areas and take stock of the farm produce and arrange for bulk procurement.

The farmers can also avail loans based on their produce stored in godowns, Shanmugam added.

Palaniswami also urged Modi not to resume train and flight services but allow inter-state movement of goods.

He also urged Modi to sanction an adhoc grant of Rs 1,000 crore from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) to the state for procurement of medical items used in fighting the spread of Coronavirus.

Palaniswami speaking at the meeting of the Chief Minister called by Modi through video conferencing requested smooth supply of essentials through railways and allow inter-state movement of goods.

He also asked Modi to announce a special package for agricultural sector as food crisis should not hit the nation and also asked for additional funding from the Central government and allotment of essential items to support unorganised sector workers, agricultural labourers and others.

Palaniswami also said their families may be provided Rs 2,000 as assistance.

Detailing the steps taken by the state government in containing the spread of Coronavirus Palaniswami added that rapid test kits are needed and for which he had written to the Union Health Minister to supply 2 lakh test kits.

According to him, 21 Government hospitals and 155 private hospitals have been notified to provide treatment for the infected people.

Reiterating the state's demand of Rs 12,000 crore are Covid-19 relief Palaniswami also said the fiscal deficit limits of 3 per cent of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) may be increased to 4.5 per cent for financial years 2019-20 and 2020-21.

"Additional borrowing of 33 per cent above the permitted level for fiscal year 2019-20, may be allowed for 2020-21 for combating this pandemic. Fifty per cent of the 2020-21 Finance Commission grants to the Urban and Rural Local bodies can be released now. 50 per cent of the revenue deficit grant can be released now. The GST (Goods and Services Tax) compensation due for December-January, 2019-20, may be released immediately," Palaniswami told Modi.

According to him, the Ways and Means limit of the States which was increased by 30 per cent by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) should be doubled and the advances availed in the fiscal year 2020-21 should be made interest-free.