Fears of economic hit and job losses as lockdown 2.0 looms

Citizens stock up before night curfew hits, in Wadala, on Tuesday. Pic/Atul Kamble

Though Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray decided to dilute restrictions under lockdown 2.0 to keep the wheels of the economy rolling, ruling party politicians expressed fears of economic and job losses. The political class fears that the restrictions, even though not as harsh as the previous lockdown, may end up feeling like a total lockdown. Some leaders from the ruling parties said that it would result in job losses and adversely impact the economy.

Prithviraj Chavan, Congress

According to the CM's directive, the primary thrust would be on preventing crowds with places of gathering to be targeted. Sources in the government said that the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the lockdown-like restrictions would be made public by this weekend.

At present, assembly of more than five people is not allowed between 8 pm and 7 am. Restaurants, malls, multiplexes, auditoriums, beaches, gardens are not allowed to operate after 8 pm. Commercial establishments fear more losses if they are shut 24X7 under revised restrictions.

Prithviraj complements BJP's stand

A day after state BJP president Chandrakant Patil said that the government should give the distressed unorganised workforce monthly financial assistance of R5,000 per person, former CM and Congress legislator, Prithviraj Chavan demanded that people be compensated for the lost wages during the second lockdown, if imposed. "Like western countries, the government should directly transfer money to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries," Chavan said in a statement.

"The administration, medical experts, industry captains and common people have a difference of opinion on the imposition of the lockdown. It is reassuring that the industrialists and medical experts in Maharashtra express their opinion fearlessly, but the government faces a dilemma. Certain things should be considered if the lockdown is necessitated," added Chavan.

An empty Nana Chowk last week amid night curfew. Pic/Bipin Kokate

Chavan said that the lockdown should not be prolonged, that people must be informed about it in advance, that the supply chain of agriculture produce and industrial material, raw material and processed goods, should not be impacted and that the vaccination drive should be intensified.

According to Chavan, last year's ‘unplanned' lockdown hit the national economy hard and over three crore people were pushed below the poverty line. "People should be taken into confidence and minimum damage to the economy must be ensured," he said.

State Congress president Nana Patole was for a night curfew but a total lockdown, he said, would ruin the people's lives further. His party colleague and revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat said the government didn't want to impose a lockdown, but it would be left with no option if the COVID situation worsened.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders spoke in different voices. Party's spokesperson Nawab Malik opposed the lockdown, but the state NCP president said it was his personal opinion. Health Minister Rajesh Tope advocated the lockdown if the resources to support patients fall short. He added that it was up to the people to cooperate with mitigation efforts by following protocols.

Mumbai suburban Guardian Minister Aslam Shaikh said if people didn't adhere to rules and regulations, restrictions that are now in place in the night hours, would be applied throughout the day.

Rs 5,000
Monthly financial assistance demanded by the BJP for the unorganised workforce