Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday spoke to all chief ministers and sought their views on extension of the ongoing nationwide lockdown beyond May 31.
According to Home Ministry sources, the telephonic conversations of the home minister came just three days before the end of the lockdown 4.0.
The nationwide lockdown to contain spread of coronavirus was first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24 for 21 days.
It was extended till May 3 and then again till May 17.
The lockdown was further extended for the third time till May 31.
During his conversation with the chief ministers, Shah sought to know the areas of concern of the states and the sectors they want to open up further from June 1, Home Ministry officials added.
Notably, this is the first time that the home minister had interacted with the chief ministers.
Before that it was Prime Minister Modi who had interacted with all chief ministers through video conference before extension of each phase of the COVID-19 lockdown and sought their views.
Though details of the conversation were not revealed, it is learnt that most of the chief ministers wanted the lockdown to continue in some form but also opening up of the economic activities and gradual return of normal life.