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Citing the growing cases of COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami urged the Prime Minister on Monday not to resume regular air and rail transport services in the State until May 31.
Referring to media reports on plans to resume regular train services to and from Chennai from Tuesday (May 12), he said: “As the positive cases in Chennai show a growing trend, do not allow train service until May 31, in my state. “He made a similar demand regarding regular air services.
Also read: Coronavirus | Tamil Nadu Cabinet eases closure regulations in large parts of the state
During a video conference meeting with Mr. Modi, he also sought financial help, including refinancing support of ₹ 2.5 billion rupees for the Tamil Nadu Industrial Investment Corporation through SIDBI and Commercial Banks to extend support to MSMEs . A copy of his address to Mr. Modi was released to the media.
Recalling efforts to combat COVID-19, Mr. Palaniswami said that on May 10, Tamil Nadu had analyzed 2.43,037 samples and 7,204 people tested positive. In addition, 59,610 contacts and “suspicious persons” are in active quarantine. Effective medical treatment has ensured that the death rate in Tamil Nadu is the lowest at 0.67%, adding that the discharge rate was 27% with 1,959 patients recovering. He reiterated his request to supply more PCR test kits.
Also read: Tamil Nadu to further relax COVID-19 blocking restrictions starting Monday
The state, which sent 13,284 people, including migrant workers and patients on 12 trains, plans to send interested migrant workers and others on 61 trains by May 17. However, it requested the early consent of the CMs of the receiving States.
The State received four flights and one ship under the missions of Vande Bharat and Samudra Setu, and more than 900 passengers were quarantined and tested.
Financial support
Noting that Tamil Nadu has a large number of MSMEs units with several thousand workers, he requested that the target of the annual credit scheme for loans to MSMEs in Tamil Nadu be increased to Rs 1.25 billion by 2020-21. “A credit restructuring package can also be provided so that they have no repayment obligations until December 31, 2020. The new working capital assistance should be extended to MSMEs units,” said CM.
Also read: Coronavirus | Recovery rate up to; Tamil Nadu records one more death
He reiterated his request for a special grant of ₹ 2 trillion to improve the available medical equipment. In addition, the State should be allowed additional loans of 33% above the level allowed for 2020-21, given the outstanding GST compensation and 50% of Finance Commission 2020-21 grants to local urban and rural agencies.
Insisting that no cuts should be made in returning the 2020-21 Union Budget estimates to states, he requested an ad hoc grant of ₹ 1 billion rupees from the NDRF to obtain medical, protective and movement supplies of migrant workers, the cost that has been borne entirely by the state government.
Once again, he urged that the CMPRF be eligible to receive the CSR contribution under Annex III of the Companies Act, 2013.
Mr. Palaniswami requested an additional allocation of food grains at no cost to all cardholders, including NPHH recipients, under the PMGKAY scheme and the customized Rp 1,321 million rice grant to facilitate the acquisition of rice. In addition, he sought a relief package to ease the immediate burden on the electrical sector to help distressed Discoms.
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