PM Modi Address to Nation: This was the Prime Minister’s fifth address since the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
PM Modi Address to Nation: Addressing the nation five days before the third phase of the nationwide lockdown is slated to end on May 17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday said the fourth phase of the lockdown will be in a new form. “Scientists say that the novel coronavirus will be a part of our lives for a very long time. But we can’t let our lives remain confined around it. We will wear masks and maintain social distancing but we will not let it (the virus) affect us.” The new rules will be announced before May 18, he added.
The Prime Minister also announced a complete package worth Rs 20 lakh crore to deal with the economic crisis due to the COVID-19. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will announce the details of the special economic package from Wednesday. “This will play an important role in the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’, he said, adding that the the announcements made by the govt so far, the decisions of the RBI and today’s package adds to Rs 20 Lakh Crores or 10% of India’s GDP.”
The Prime Minister emphasised on achieving self-reliance for the country at a time when the pandemic has brought the economy to a standstill. “This era of self-reliance will be our new pledge, we have to move on with new resolve.” This is the prime minister’s fifth address to the nation, including a video message, following the outbreak of Covid-19, which has so far claimed 2,293 lives and infected 70,756 people in the country.
PM Modi’s address comes a day after he held a marathon six-hour meeting with chief ministers, with several states, including Maharashtra, Punjab, Telangana and West Bengal, seeking an extension of the lockdown. Others pitched for further easing of restrictions and more say in which districts fall under red, orange and green zones.
Coronavirus India Lockdown LIVE Latest News Update: Photograph released by PIB of PM Modi, Ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh at a meeting with CMs on Monday.
The Rs 20-lakh crore package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi sounds big but will burn only a small hole in the government’s finances. A large part of it, or as much as Rs 8.04 lakh crore, is additional liquidity injected into the system by the Reserve Bank of India through various measures in
Add to this the Rs 1.7 lakh crore fiscal package announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on March 27. The balance of the economic package, details of which are not yet known, then stands at Rs 10.26 lakh crore. It is expected that the Finance Minister will announce the details at the earliest since this has a bearing on the bond markets. Sources familiar with discussions within the government said the fiscal outgo may not be more than Rs 4.2 lakh crore during the year, taking cues from the revised borrowing calendar announced just three days back.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of a Rs 20 lakh crore package to help cushion the Covid economic impact and set the stage for “self-reliance”, could pivot around measures that the government is set to unveil in a staggered manner starting Wednesday.
“Land, labour, liquidity and laws” — that was how the PM defined the key themes of the package. This is likely to translate into: steps to bolster liquidity for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), among the worst impacted sectors; a push to the process of monetisation of surplus land assets held by Ministries and Central PSUs; a state-led easing of labour regulations and additional tax breaks for companies investing above a certain threshold in technology-intensive sectors like pharma, medical devices and telecom equipment. Over the next few days, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will provide details of the package that is likely to include measures to boost local manufacturing, help improve India’s competitiveness in a global economy, and provide relief to the distressed poor, labourers and hapless migrants.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that India’s combined economic package would be worth Rs 20 lakh crore or 10 per cent of GDP, which would make India self-reliant and position it for the post Covid-19 world.
With the third phase of lockdown ending on May 17, the Prime Minister said the fourth stage will be new in form — and the details, which will be drawn up on the basis of suggestions from the state chief ministers, would be announced by May 18. The details of the Rs 20 lakh crore package, which would help every section including workers, farmers, middle class and industrial units, would be announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the coming days, the Prime Minister said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of an economic package of Rs 20 lakh crore, saying it will help labourers, farmers and industries to come out of the crisis created by coronavirus.
"We are all grateful to the PM that during this crisis, he has announced a very large economic package of 20 lakh crore to support the poor, farmers, labourers, MSMEs, migrant workers, street vendors and daily wage earners," he said. "I am confident that through this large economic package, not only the MSME sector of Uttar Pradesh but also the One District One Product will get a new height. Due to the corona crisis, the sector was facing a lot of hardships. This package will give a new financial boost to it," Adityanath said.
Welcoming the announcement of a financial package of Rs 20 lakh crore, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday said it was a delayed decision and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have done it earlier.
"Better late than never," the chief minister said. "It is a welcome step but the announcement of a financial package should have been done earlier," he said.
"People were waiting for the financial package. They are facing hardship and now this package will give them a hope," Gehlot told PTI. On moving ahead post the third phase of the lockdown, the chief minister said that next challenge for the state would be to ensure that coronavirus does not spread to the villages with the arrival of migrants.
The Congress Tuesday said the country was “deeply disappointed” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation as it had “failure to address woes of millions of migrant workers”. Party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the Prime Minister had given the media a “headline” at a time when the country was waiting for a “helpline”.
Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’ Brian, meanwhile, said the country had to wait for the “devil”, as the devil was in the details of the relief package announced by the Prime Minister. “We saw the box and wrapping paper, but what’s inside, we don’t know,” he said in a video message.
“Is it really that much. When they announced relief package and when you looked closely, you saw the relief package was much less than what was projected,” Brien added.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the country should view the Covid-19 economic crisis as an opportunity to achieve economic self-reliance. In his address to the nation, he stressed on the importance of promoting “local” products. He called it the Atam-nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (or Self-reliant India Mission) and said that in the days to come his government will be unveiling the details of an economic package — worth Rs 20 lakh crore or 10% of India’s GDP in 2019-20 — aimed towards achieving this mission.
Is this a new package?
Not entirely. While the PM did not give the details, he did specify that this calculation of Rs 20 lakh crore includes what the government has already announced and the steps taken by the Reserve Bank of India. READ FULL EXPLAINED HERE
N Venkatram, CEO, Deloitte India on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for making India self-reliant.
“It is exemplary of our Prime Minister to defend the country against the ravages of the pandemic and rally Indian citizens to capture global opportunities that will define our country’s future. It is a clarion call for Swadeshi 2.0. Our neighbour China exports circa US $2.3 trillion of goods annually, and as global supply chains are reimagined, India has a once in a lifetime opportunity to look at serving the domestic market through import substitution, and also address the export opportunity of about US $1 trillion in defined sectors.
The regulatory changes should be designed to encourage entrepreneur spirit, the industrialist mind-set to build a new India, as manufacturing and jobs move to India. The establishment of a food processing industry in itself will, for example, have great potential for export and will also be a big boost to our agriculture sector, reducing the tribulations of migrant labour.”
In his fifth address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an economic package totaling Rs 20 lakh crore to tide over the Covid-19 crisis under ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’. The Rs 20 lakh crore package includes the government’s recent announcements on supporting key sectors and measures by Reserve Bank of India.
PM Modi said the economic package would be around the 10 per cent of the GDP. “I announce a special economic package today. This will play an important role in the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’. The announcements made by the government on Covid-19, decisions of RBI and today’s package totals to Rs 20 lakh crore. This is 10 per cent of India’s GDP,” PM Narendra Modi said
CPI(M)'s General Secretary Sitaram Yechury criticised PM Modi's address to nation, saying it didn't mention the "misery and hunger being faced by millions of Indians," and the four big problems confronting the country.
Reacting on PM Modi's package announcement, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel told ANI: 'Financial package should have been announced earlier. It is not clear what is in the package for laborers, farmers, traders, and MSMEs. Tomorrow Finance Minister will clarify it then only it will be clear which sector is getting what.'
Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation on the coronavirus pandemic, the Congress said the PM's announcements have given the country and the media a "headline." The party's spokesperson Randeep Surjewala raised the issue of migrant labourers. "India is deeply disappointed by your utter lack of empathy, sensitivity & failure to address the woes of millions of migrant workers," he said.
"Today, our Honble Prime Minister has declared the world’s largest holistic relief package. The Modi govt has given financial packages of ? 20 Lakh Crore to support every section of the society. It is around 10% of Indian GDP. Hon PM’s proactive approach will build an AatmanirbharBhara," BJP president JP Nadda tweeted.
Economy, Infrastructure, System, Demography, Demand: These are the five pillars of an aatmanirbhar Bharat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his address to nation
In his fifth address to nation since the coronavirus outbreak in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday said even as the people take precautionary measures in their daily lives, the virus cannot control us.
Indicating a relaxed lockdown 4.0, the PM said it was time to be safe and move forward as well.
Taking note of the economic situation, the Prime Minister said the total package to mitigate the economic stress owing to the lockdown amounts to Rs 20 lakh crore. He also emphasised on making India self reliant or "aatmanirbhar" and encourage local demand.
BJP leaders have hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to nation in which he urged the country to be "vocal about local" in making the country "self-reliant" and announced the overall economic package to deal with the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic to be worth Rs 20 lakh crore.
Lauding Prime Minister's appeal for a self-reliant India, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman urged to make "local our mantra" and that the "AatmaNirbhar Bharat" will build the 21st century for the country.
Stressing that “we have to protect ourselves and move ahead as well”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the nation, announced a special economic package amounting to Rs 20 lakh crore to deal with the Covid-19 crisis. PM Modi also said the fourth phase of nationwide lockdown would be different and have new rules and guidelines.
Key quotes
#Before the outbreak, not a single PPE or N95 masks were made in India, but now we are making at least 2 lakh of PPE and 2 lakh N95 daily.
#India’s self-reliance will be based on five pillars–economy, infrastructure, technology-driven system, vibrant demography and demand.
#The fourth phases of lockdown will be based on inputs we are getting from the states. Information on this will be given to you before May 18.
#This special economic package is for our labourers, farmers, honest taxpayers, MSMEs and cottage industry. The details of the package will be announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the coming days.
How big is a 20 lakh crore economic package when compared to the recent annual budget announcement:
Expenditure: “The government proposes to spend Rs 30,42,230 crore in 2020-21, which is 12.7% higher than the revised estimate of 2019-20.”
Receipts: “The receipts (other than net borrowings) are expected to increase by 16.3% to Rs 22,45,893 crore, owing to higher estimated revenue from disinvestments.”
To strengthen local markets, PM Modi said local suppliers have met 'our demands' during this crisis and now Indians will have to be 'vocal about local' and buy products from them. "The Covid-19 pandemic has taught us the importance of local supply chains very well. The global brands we see today were once local, they grew after their countrymen supported them. From today, all Indians should become vocal for our local products," he said.
In his address to the nation, PM Narendra Modi said the next lockdown will be different with new rules and people will be informed about it before May 18. The present lockdown will come to an end on Sunday. 'Lockdown 4' will be different and have new rules; you will be informed about it before May 18,' he said.
Modi said, "This era of self-reliance will be our new pledge and new festival; we have to move on with new resolve. Maintaining social distance and wearing masks will become the norm in the future."
Spelling out the furture, PM Modi said the coronavirus will be a part of everybody's lives for a long time. "Coronavirus going to be part of our lives for long time, but we can't let our lives revolve around it only," he said.
"In this hour of crisis, local suppliers have met our demands; Indians have to be 'vocal about local' and buy products from them," the prime minister said.
As the nationwide lockdown brought the country's economy to a grinding halt, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the government will anounce a special economic package worth Rs 20 lakh crore, which is nearly 10 per cent of the GDP. He said the package will focus on land, labour, liquidity and laws. The PM further said Finance Minister Nirmanla Sitharaman will announce details of the special economic package beginning Wednesday.
PM Modi said from tomorrow Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will announce details of special economic package. "Special economic package is for our labourers, farmers, honest tax payers, MSMEs and cottage industry. Beginning Wednesday, finance minister will announce details of special economic package."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the magnificent building of a self-reliant India will stand on five pillars - Economy; Infrastructure, Tech-driven System, Vibrant Demography and demand. He said India has resources and talent and it will make best products, improve quality and supply chain.
PM Narendra Modi in his address to the nation said, "Special economic package will have emphasis on land, labour, liquidity and laws."
An economic package worth Rs 20 lakh crore or 10% of the GDP has been announced to enable a foothold for the country's economic self reliance. "I announce a special economic package today. This will play an important role in the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan'. The announcements made by the govt over COVID, decisions of RBI & today's package totals to Rs 20 cakh crores. This is 10% of India's GDP. Special economic package is for our labourers, farmers, honest taxpayers, MSMEs and cottage industry," said Prime Minister Modi.
We have been hearing for long that this century is India’s. After looking at the pre- and post-Covid world, making this century India’s is both our dream and responsibility . And the road to that is self-dependence. I remember the devastation in Kutch after the earthquake. But Kutch got back on its feet. This shows our resolve. And today, we have both resolve and resources: Modi
Prime Minister announces Rs 20,00,000 crore package to make India self-sufficient focusing on land, labour, liquidity and laws. This is about 10 per cent of the country's GDP and is aimed at the middle class, the business community and the honest tax payer.
Listing five pillars for a self-reliant India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on strengthening the country
1)Economy
2)Infrastructure
3)Tech-driven System
4)Vibrant Demography
5) Demand
"This crisis is neither heard of not seen before, it's unprecedented... we need abide by the rules of engagement in this war against coronavirus. We need to take cover as well as march forward in our fight. Our resolution will be greater than the magnitude of this crisis," says PM Modi in his address to the nation.
"As a nation, we are standing are standing at a crucial crossroads. This crisis also presents us with an opportunity. We have changed the disaster into an opportunity," he added.
PM Modi: When India talks of self-reliance, its focus is not on a capital-centric world order, but on the welfare of humanity at large, based on Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
India didn't produce any PPE before COVID-19 crisis and manufactured very few N-95 masks, now we are producing 2 lakh of each: India's self-reliance addresses concerns about world's happiness, cooperation and peace: Medicines supplied by India have infused new hopes in the world which is fighting battle of life and death. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a world that is fighting life and death, India's medicines today bring a new hope. "With these steps, when India is being praised everywhere in the world, every Indian feels proud," he said.
When the coronavirus crisis started then not even a single PPE kit was manufactured in India, only a few N95 masks were available. Today 2 Lakh PPE kits and 2 Lakh N95 masks are manufactured in India daily: PM Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said when the entire world is in crisis, India will have to further firm its resolve. "It should not be just our dream but also our responsibility to ensure that the 21st century belongs to India," he said.
India is now making 200,000 PPEs and 200,000 N95 masks daily, says PM Modi. "Earlier we were not making any PPEs and hardly any masks," PM says.
Addressing the nation on the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded India's effort in dealing with the pandemic, saying the country has turned the tragedy into an opportunity. "Before the outbreak, we didn't have PPE or enough N95 masks, now we have at least 2 lakh of protective equipments"
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing the nation on the coronavirus pandemic, five days before the third phase of the lockdown is slated to be lifted on MAy 17
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation for the fifth time following the outbreak of Covid-19, which has so far claimed 2,293 lives and infected 70,756 people in the country.
On the 49th day of the coronavirus-induced nationwide lockdown, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 8 pm today, May 12. PM Modi is likely to speak on what to expect once the third phase of lockdown expires on May 17.
Where to watch PM Modi’s live address?
PM Modi’s address will be telecast live on all channels of national broadcaster Doordarshan as well as aired on All India Radio. It can also be viewed on PMO India’s Twitter and Facebook handles.
The Indian Express will also run a live blog on PM Modi’s address followed by detailed explanation of the announcements made in the address. Stay tuned!
Criticising the central government’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Tuesday that her state gained nothing from the video conferencing meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and claimed that the attendees at the interaction with the PM always return empty-handed. She also reiterated that the nationwide lockdown imposed in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic was poorly planned.
“I raised several issues during the meeting with PM. But I must say we always return empty-handed after our meetings with PM. We are yet to get our dues,” the Chief Minister was quoted as saying by PTI. The Centre is yet to clear the “legitimate financial dues” of the state, she claimed.
Banerjee also stated that an early relief from the crisis is unlikely and called for the need of a ‘three-month plan’ to deal with the situation
In his first interaction with the global community, PM Modi on March 15 got on board SAARC leaders for a summit via video-conference to discuss the way forward to fight the coronavirus. In the summit, PM Modi proposed the creation of a COVID-19 emergency fund, for which he committed “an initial offer of US$ 10 million”.
PM Modi was joined by Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani and Pakistan Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Health Zafar Mirza.
The second phase of the Vande Bharat Mission — one of India’s largest repatriation exercise to bring back Indians stranded in other countries due to the Covid-19 crisis — will see the Centre operating 149 flights from May 16 to May 22.
Under this phase, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs and state governments to bring back Indian citizens from nearly 31 countries in 149 flights.
In the first phase, Air India and Air India Express are operating 64 flights between May 7 and May 14 to bring in approximately 15,000 Indians who are stranded in 12 countries.
Fifty days into lockdown, while most states demanded further easing to resume economic activities, they were undecided about completely lifting the lockdown on May 17. While some states sought the authority to decide zoning of districts into red, orange and green categories, some wanted more flexibility to modify lockdown guidelines within their jurisdiction.
In the fifth meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, chief ministers of at least four states — Maharashtra, Punjab, Telangana and West Bengal — were of the view that the lockdown which came into effect on March 25, should be extended. States including Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Andhra, Bihar and Tamil Nadu had reservations on allowing inter-state transport, be it rail or air, and wanted to be consulted before a decision is taken. Bihar Chief Minister Nitisk Kumar, in fact, said starting rail services “was a mistake” and that his opinion should have been taken since he was a “former Railways Minister”.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has yet again pitched for extension of the lockdown considering the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the state.
The Chief Minister said at the video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi that states needed to be given greater flexibility in micro-planning as part of a carefully planned exit strategy, encompassing both Covid containment and a defined path of economic revival, said a government statement adding that he was clearly favouring extension of lockdown.
Meanwhile, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar Monday urged the Centre to authorise states to take decisions at their own level to resume industrial and economic activities in green, orange, and red zones except containment zones.
In his fifth meeting with state chief ministers to discuss the post-lockdown strategy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday said the road ahead should be focused on reducing the spread of Covid-19 and ensuring that all precautions were taken by people, including social distancing norms, by observing ‘do gaz doori‘.
“Slowly but surely, economic activities have begun to pick up in several parts of the country. In coming days, this process will further gather steam. We must realize that fight against Covid-19 has to be more focused now,” ANI quoted PM Modi as saying in the meeting. “Even as we look at the gradual withdrawal of the lockdown, we should constantly remember that till we do not find a vaccine or a solution, the biggest weapon with us to the fight the virus is social distancing,” he said.
The interaction was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Health Minister Harsh Vardhan among others. Unlike previous meetings where only select CMs were shortlisted to speak, this time all CMs were given an opportunity to share their opinion.
PM Modi’s address will be telecast live on all channels of national broadcaster Doordarshan as well as aired on All India Radio. It can also be viewed on PMO India’s Twitter and Facebook handles.
The Indian Express will also run a live blog on PM Modi’s address followed by detailed explanation of the announcements made in the address.
Welcome to our live blog. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his fifth such address, will speak to the nation at 8 pm and is likely to clear the air if the 54-day lockdown will be extended further or not. Besides, he is also likely to speak on the hardships caused due to the severe hit taken by the economy. While PM Modi's address is still more than 5 hours away, keep following this blog for more inputs on the likely scenario post May 17 and other news.