By the time the disease is dealt with, India may have lost far more than just lives and a growing economy Opinion | K S Dakshina Murthy
As India lurches from one lockdown to another, the ruling party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has confounded even sections of its own supporters with a slew of contentious long-term policy decisions that may have little to do with controlling the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, over the last 50 days the repeated lockdown has unravelled into a multi-pronged mess with various states starting to resent the continuous shutting of normal activities leading to chaos among migrant workers and the rising spectre of economic bankruptcy among small traders, medium businesses and even large industries.
The decision has so shocked trade unions that even the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh , affiliated to the ruling BJP, has given a call for nationwide protests against the move. In another move intended to please business, the Modi government issued a notification that will all but eliminate the need for environmental clearances for industrial projects. clearances, which means approvals can be obtained after the construction, installation and commencement of any project.
Journalists have been charged with criminal sections under the Indian Penal Code for reporting on the conditions of thousands of migrant workers who have been left to fend for themselves with minimum government aid during the lockdown. No wonder India has slipped two places from 140 to 142 out of 180 countries in a survey by Reporters Without Borders.
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