Arvind Kejriwal Exclusive Interview: 'No Point If Economic Package Not Reaching The Poor, Require At Least 100 Trains For Migrants,' Says Delhi CM

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal says migrants can't be stopped from going back to their states and more trains need to be run to ensure that they can travel back with all precautions.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday has assured that his government will be able to handle and treat almost 50,000 active Coronavirus cases, if the need arises, and is making all efforts to send back migrant workers with all protection and safety. In an exclusive interaction with ABP News, Kejriwal said daily wage earners and workers have faith in the system and will come back to the city when the economy opens up fully. “We started with 2,000 cases as the cases spiked with foreigners and the people who attended the gathering at Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi. We were able to manage the situation," said the chief minister a day after issuing fresh lockdown guidelines. "Death rate is very  less when compared to the number of cases recorded which stands at 10,054 . We don’t know how long this situation will continue in the absence of vaccination, so we have to move on and the last two months that were given we were able to prepare well to fight the disease. 2,000 beds with oxygen are ready and almost 4,000 beds will be ready for severe patients. We will able to fight 50,000 active cases in the capital in the days to come,” he added. On workers going back to their home states, he said it’s the worst time for them as they do not have savings left and now want to get back to their families. The Centre and several state governments were a little late in taking action but 59 trains have been started and we expect the government to give us 50-100 trains in the next 4-5 days so that we can ensure the safe travel of the workers, he stated. On being asked that labourers are being sent back, in order to ensure that the Covid-19 doesn’t flare in the capital, he said “It is the same thing, for example, people who have come from abroad are also Indians and those workers going back from here are also Indians. We can’t stop people looking to go back to their states. We are demanding more trains to run and help them to ensure that they can travel back with all precautions.” Delhi has gradually opened up the economy which can provide a respite to these workers. The CM has said that workers still have faith in the government. On being quizzed about opening up the construction sectors and workers retreating to their home towns, he said that they can always come back once the economy opens up and contribute to the economy. "We have provided those workers food. Around 10 lakh people have been provided food, ration cards are also being provided." On the Centre’s stimulus package, he said the package is mostly focused on loan waivers. However, the direct benefit for workers and daily wage earners is missing. “I don’t see the economic package giving direct money to common man's account who has exhausted all his savings. The government could have been given direct benefits for the next two months so that they can survive till the economy is back on track.” The Delhi government on Monday said industrial establishments in the city will be permitted to function in staggered business hours and directed RWAs to not prevent anyone allowed by authorities from performing the duty. “Delhi is among the highest taxpaying place, but there is very little in out kitty, but I am more concerned about daily wagers. Earlier, Delhi has been neglected but now we have been getting the required budget. At this hour we have to rise beyond politics to fight Covid-19. We are more focussed on saving the lives of our people,” he emphasised. The CM said that as of now ambulances, sanitation workers, medical staff have been given easy access for to/for travel from Delhi. He said eventually borders will have to be opened as the discussion will be held to discuss interstate travel. We will analyse the situation in the coming days and then decide,” said the CM. While announcing the number of lockdown relaxations earlier, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that shops in markets will be allowed to open on odd-even basis. As of Monday, there are 76 containment zones in the city. The chief minister said that buses with 20 passengers will ply but added Metro services, schools, colleges, cinema halls, barber shops and saloons will remain closed till May 31. All kinds of shops will be allowed to open in the national capital. Restaurants can open for home-delivery and takeaways but dining facilities will not be permitted, Kejriwal said during an online media briefing. WATCH: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's Exclusive Interview To ABP News Below