Pondy CM seeks fiscal aid for people tackle COVID-19 crisis

Puducherry, May 2 () Territorial Chief Minister VNarayanasamy on Saturday appealed to the Centre to come outwith financial assistance to people to tackle the currentcrisis cause by the COVID-19 lockdown.

He told reporters here that the financial situationfollowing the drying up of sources of revenue as shops andestablishments remain closed for the last 35 days or so wastough to bear with.

The cabinet meeting to be held on Sunday would decidethe various steps the government should follow in respect ofrestarting business activities, shops in keeping with theguidelines unveiled by the Centre while extending thelockdown further, he said.

Narayanasamy welcomed the decision to honourcoronavirus by the armed forces was a good recognition of thefrontline warriors engaged in a relentless fight against theCOVID-19.

He said this decision would be a big morale boosterfor doctors, nurses, sanitation workers and others.

The defence forces would, among other activities,hold a flypast and shower petals on hospitals across thecountry, which have been engaged in saving the people fromthe pandemic.

The Chief Minister said a special portal that wasunveiled on Friday to enable stranded migrant workers,students, pilgrims and industrial entrepreneurs fromPuducherry and those stuck abroad to register all particularsfor their return to Union Territory had evoked goodpatronage.

"Special officers have been appointed region wise tocoordinate the work to bring back these stranded workers andothers to Puducherry from other states and abroad,", he said. CORNVG NVG