New Delhi: We always have been to keep in mind the more we can stop Covid- 19, the more it will stop growing, the more our economy will open, and so will knew employment opportunities, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Addressing a group of CMs and LGs of Union Territories, Modi said on Tuesday two weeks into unlock- 1, green shoots of economy such as a reversal of the drop in power consumptions have already begun to be visible.

The fertilizers sales in May this year saw an increase of more than 12% during Kharif sowing in comparison to last year, increase in production of two-wheelers which have now reached 70% of pre- lock down level, digital payment in retail reaching pre- lock down level, increase in toll collection in May and bouncing back of exports, he said. These signals are encouraging us to forge ahead, said Modi making it clear that the relaxations are set to stay.

He emphasized that the need for the people to stick to the anti- virus protocol comprising mandatory use of masks adherence to social distancing and hand hygiene. All modes of transport are now open, lakhs of migrant workers have travelled back to their villages, thousands of Indians have returned from abroad and even though India has a huge population, Covid- 19 has not assumed as life threatening a form as in the rest of the world, said Modi.

As he praised cooperation between the Centre and States, this was the PM’s sixth interaction with Chief Ministers since the lock down started on March 25^th and the first after unlock one unfolded. He will have another round of interaction with the remaining CMs on Wednesday.

The PM suggested that the States should identify their specific economic activity points where work should happen round the clock. Modi emphasized need for cooperation to ensure that announcements made under “Self-reliant India” campaign deliver results at the earliest.