With coronavirus cases still surging to record levels, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing growing pressure to impose a harsh nationwide lockdown amid a debate whether restrictions imposed by individual states are enough. Over the past month, nearly a dozen out of India’s 28 federal states have announced less stringent restrictions than the nationwide lockdown imposed for two months in March last year. Modi imposed a two-month stringent lockdown last year on four hours’ notice. India's economy contracted by 23% in April-June quarter last year and showed recovery as the restrictions were eased. She said different states have different needs, and local particularities need to be taken into account for any policy to work.

Source: Mint May 07, 2021 04:41 UTC