Will go by expert committee advice & ground situation: Capt Amarinder
Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday said he would go by the advice of the Expert Committee
Chandigarh: Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday said he would go by the advice of the Expert Committee, set up to formulate Punjab’s lockdown exit strategy in the matter of opening up the state.
During a webinar with leading industrialists, economic experts and diplomats/ambassadors of various countries, the Chief Minister said any decision on lifting the lockdown/curfew would be taken basis the recommendations of the 20-member Expert Committee, which is expected to submit its report on Saturday.
Reiterating that his priority was saving the lives of Punjabis, the Chief Minister said “the life of my Punjabis is more important.” Factories can be restarted but we can’t get people back, he said.
If the Expert Committee, which includes medical experts and doctors, recommends opening up, either partially or completely, we will do so, he said, in response to questions. “I will go by their advice,” he declared, but made it clear that the health of the people was the priority, even though the state government was aware that the lockdown could not be kept in place indefinitely.
The Chief Minister, during the webinar, extended his condolences to the Italian ambassador, Vincenzo de Luca, for the large number of lives lost in their country due to the Covid pandemic. The envoy, on his part, expressed solidarity with the people of Punjab in their fight against the Coronavirus.
Pointing to the over one lakh Punjabis living in Italy, which is one of the most affected countries in the world, the ambassador urged the Punjab government to explore prospects for more investment by Italian companies in the state, especially in the field of food processing and agricultural machinery manufacturing. In response, the Chief Minister directed Invest Punjab to discuss the issue with the Italian team and find investment opportunities for them.
Even the ambassador of Denmark, Freddy Svane, expressed keen interest in exploring investment opportunities in Punjab and requested the chief minister to take up the issue of some clearance pending with the GoI.