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'Govt's flawed lockdown caused immense suffering'
June 26, 2020

"The lockdown has come at an immense economic cost. In March -- as the coronavirus crisis began to become obvious, with the government in denial for weeks on end -- $16 billion of foreign capital left India, an all-time high. In April, the unemployment rate rose to 23.8%, another all-time high. In April, exports dropped by 60% as well.


About two of every five micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and self-employed businesses have started shutting down for good. As per the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India, there was an 84% dip in textile sales. Overall, the 21-day lockdown cost India an estimated Rs 35,000 crore a day.  

Read TMC MP Derek O'Brien's column for the Hindustan Times here. 
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