Dharwad: Economists have sought relaxation from lockdown to agriculture, agro-based industries and MSMEs in order to give fillip to economy.
During an online panel discussion on the economic impact of the lockdown organized by the PG department of economics of Karnatak University (KU-D), economists recommended complete lockdown in urban, semi-urban areas and slums, and exemption in green zones and rural areas, to increase GDP. They said before imposing the lockdown, the supply of essential commodities, services and medicines should have been ensured.
“Covid-19 has affected the entire world. It is spreading fast, but it is slow in India when compared to other countries. However, this should not be the reason to be complacent,” they said.
The problems of unemployment, poverty and malnutrition will have serious aftereffects. However, lockdown is inevitable to prevent the spread of the virus, the experts felt.
Migrant labourers, farm workers and the poor are hit hard by the crisis, and the government should provide them financial aid and other help so they can live a dignified life. Migrant workers, who are stranded away from their homes, should be allowed to return to their places. The priority of the state and central governments should be to spend on relief, rehabilitation and healthcare of the affected people, the panelists said.
Though they appreciated the decision of educational institutions to go for online teaching, they expressed apprehensions over the efficacy of the method. Prof Krishnaraj of ISEC (Bengaluru), Rajendran of Gandhigram Rural Institute (Dindigul), P S Kamble of Kolhapur, S R Keshav of Bengaluru, R R Biradar, S T Bagalkoti, B H Nagoor of KU Dharwad and T M Bhaskar, acting vice-chancellor of KU, participated in the discussion.