Partial Lifting Of Lockdown Will Help, Says MG Motor India Chief

Chaba believes extending the closure could have serious implications for the economy

- Murali Gopalan

With speculation rife that the national lockdown is likely to be extended beyond mid-April, President and Managing Director of MG Motor India Rajeev Chaba says the cost of business inactivity in India will end up becoming heftier than the COVID-19 threat.

“We are not producing anything right now, which is the right thing, but cannot afford to do this beyond three or a maximum of four weeks. People will die of hunger and poverty,” cautions Chaba.

Partial lifting

Chaba, however, reiterates that the decision to impose the present lockdown was important to break the chain and flatten the COVID-19 curve. Yet, he adds, the country cannot afford this “prolonged lockdown” beyond 3-4 weeks.

“After four weeks, the deaths due to economic inactivity are going to be much more (than the virus),” says Chaba. In his view, the Centre must think of opening “part of the economy, part of manufacturing, etc” to be able to start generating some employment again.