12.35°C Vancouver

May 12, 2020 3:00 AM -

Punjab CM pitches for lockdown extension with 'carefully crafted strategy'

Share On
punjab-cm-pitches-for-lockdown-extension-with-carefully-crafted-strategy
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday pitched for extension of the lockdown with a "carefully crafted strategy", which is to be backed by fiscal and economic empowerment of the states to save lives and secure livelihood. Photo-ANI

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday pitched for extension of the lockdown with a "carefully crafted strategy", which is to be backed by fiscal and economic empowerment of the states to save lives and secure livelihood.

During a video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singh said 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.

He demanded urgent financial assistance to states to meet at least 33 per cent of their committed liabilities, along with revenue grants to the states for 3 months to meet the shortfall in revenue and to fund expenditure on COVID-19.

The Punjab Chief Minister also called for a "national strategy" on COVID testing.

He also reiterated his demand for the immediate release of Punjab's GST arrears of Rs 4,365.37 crore.

The Chief Minister also urged the Prime Minister to increase the borrowing limit under the Financial Responsibility and Budget Management Act 2005 (FRBM Act) from 3 per cent to 4 per cent of SGDP to enable states to meet their fiscal liabilities.

Latest news

WorldApr 07, 2026

More than 80 migrants missing after boat capsizes in Mediterranean, UN agency says

More than 80 migrants are missing after a boat that departed from Libya capsized in the central Mediterranean, according to the International Organization for Migration. At least two bodies have been recovered, the agency said Tuesday. The vessel left the coastal town of Tajoura in northwestern Libya on Sunday carrying about 120 people. It later overturned after taking on water in harsh weather conditions, according to the IOM. A merchant vessel and a tugboat rescued 32 survivors, who were transferred by the Italian coast guard to the southern Italian island of Lampedusa. Authorities have not
AlbertaApr 07, 2026

Late-season Alberta clipper to bring snow across Prairies, Environment Canada says

Environment Canada says a late-season Alberta clipper is expected to bring snowfall to parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba through Tuesday and into Wednesday. According to an Environment Canada weather statement, heavy snow is forecast in Alberta from Peace River toward Cold Lake, as well as between Banff and Jasper, beginning overnight and continuing into Wednesday morning. In Saskatchewan, the agency says snowfall is expected to develop across central regions of the province on Tuesday and persist into Wednesday. Manitoba is expected to see some of the highest accumulations, with 15
b-c-first-nations-leader-questions-dripa-suspension-plan-cites-legal-uncertainty
BCApr 07, 2026

B.C. First Nations leader questions DRIPA suspension plan, cites legal uncertainty

A First Nations leader in British Columbia says the provincial government’s plan to suspend parts of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act could increase legal uncertainty and affect reconciliation efforts. Judith Sayers, president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, said the proposed three-year suspension outlined by Premier David Eby may leave key legal questions unresolved, particularly if there is a change in government before the period ends. She said it is also unclear whether courts will have ruled on two major cases currently under appeal during that time. Accordi
first-nation-seeks-court-injunction-to-halt-alberta-separation-petition
FeaturedApr 07, 2026

First Nation seeks court injunction to halt Alberta separation petition

An Alberta First Nation is in court Tuesday seeking an injunction to stop a citizen-led petition campaign advocating for the province to leave Canada. The Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation has filed an application in the Court of King’s Bench in Edmonton, asking a judge to suspend the campaign while legal questions over treaty rights are addressed. According to the court filing, the First Nation argues that any move toward Alberta’s separation from Canada would require the consent of First Nations under existing treaties. The application alleges that the governments of Alberta and Canada, along wi
navjot-kaur-sidhu-announces-formation-of-new-political-party-on-social-media
IndiaApr 07, 2026

Navjot Kaur Sidhu announces formation of new political party on social media

Dr. Navjot Kaur Sidhu, wife of former cricketer and ex-Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu, has announced the formation of a new political party, according to a post on her official social media account. In a message shared on X, Sidhu said the party will be called the Bharatiya Rashtrawadi Party. The announcement was accompanied by an image displaying the party’s name. She described the move as a “long-awaited announcement.” According to the post, the party aims to present a new national-level political alternative. Sidhu stated that the initiative follows an in-depth assessmen

Related News