Package of ₹15,000 crore is inadequate

FORMER UNION FINANCE minister P. Chidambaram is of the view that perhaps India was late in initiating a nationwide lockdown.

- SONI MISHRA

The veteran leader is not happy with the ₹15,000 crore package announced by the Narendra Modi government to fight Covid-19. According to his calculations, the size of the financial package should have been around ₹5 lakh crore. Excerpts:

Q/The nationwide lockdown for 21 days is something that you have been demanding. Have we acted in time to avert a disaster?

A/Only time will tell us if we acted in time. Many epidemiologists, and eminent doctors like Dr Devi Shetty, had pleaded for an immediate lockdown since the second week of March. I was echoing their views. Although the Centre did not announce a nationwide lockdown, the states, one by one, took that decision. Between March 20 and March 23, practically all the states had declared a lockdown. The Centre announced a 21-day lockdown only on March 24. I am angry, relieved, happy, disappointed and fearful.

Q/The prime minister has announced a financial package of 015,000 crore to fight Covid-19.