Second innings

The COVID pandemic and national lockdown have put the spotlight on our health infrastructure, demanding more from our frontline healthcare workers as well as the administrative machinery in a bid to comprehensively contain the emergency. But as the first phase of the lockdown comes to an end, there are certain takeaways which serve our interest as we brace ourselves for the next phase till May 3. The 21-day lockdown began when India had around 500 reported cases, which has risen past 10,000 today. Health Ministry briefed how the rise would have been devastating had the lockdown not been in place; supported by a graphical representation of the situation as it is and as it could have been, adversely. The Health Ministry data has definitely fuelled the Centre's resolve to extend the lockdown for another three weeks. But unlike the first 21 days, there is a particular matter that requires dynamic deliberation as we proceed — Economy. Following PM's renewed motto — "jaan bhi aur jahaan bhi" — which emphasises on how India has to take both lives and livelihoods along in this crisis, the lockdown extension, as expected, brings an opportunity to kickstart the economy albeit with reasonable safeguards. As mentioned in previous editorials, the main point of concern remains the informal sector wherein daily wage workers are continuously bearing the brunt of the lockdown. The threat of COVID looming large is as equal a concern as the reality of no wage. And, for those stranded in other states; the misery is only worse. While state governments may have taken measures to feed them and give them temporary refuge, there is a fine line between a mere hand to provide subsistence and welfare support extended at the time of a pandemic. There have been chilling accounts of migrant labourers walking thousands of miles to get home, not able to get any regular meals and without any money to sustain themselves. The plight of MGNREGA workers, who are barely getting any work due to closure of worksites to curb the COVID-19 spread, highlights the glaring collapse of employment assurance, especially when most needed. Centre's mandate to begin economic activity following another week of assessment should take due note of the informal sector. It is imperative that they are the first ones to be led to work amidst reasonable safeguards so that they can start earning their bread. Hence, resumption of manufacturing units, construction sites, etc., categories where migrant labourers are employed in large quantities should be the first ones to get the nod. Even Spain — one of the most adversely-affected nations — has decided to resume economic activity by allowing construction workers to get back to work amidst social distancing and mask norms. India can follow suit being in a far better position than Spain. In the same sense, MGNREGA worksites must be restarted and the meagre increase of Rs 20 that was announced in the economic package by the government must be revised in the wake of such challenging times. While all sections of the economy would require impetus following the easing of the norms, extensive attention is required for the informal sector and the government must deliver.

Challenges are galore but administrative efficacy takes precedence as India will make strides to what can be a fraction of normalcy. Cases have risen unabated but progress has been made in identifying hotspots and implementing extensive containment measures to arrest the spread. The government must make the most of the extension in lockdown to draw definite lines on these hotspots. The rigorous testing and assessment regime that would follow until April 20 must produce a clear picture of the spread. It will enable the population not in proximity of these clusters to resume work amidst safeguards and slowly but surely run the economic wheel that has halted because of the pandemic. Even if slow, there has to be a start and even if at huge costs, the government ought to provide a more appropriate economic package.