The coronavirus pandemic, which has so far claimed more than 100,000 lives the world over, is forcing governments to make difficult choices between saving lives and protecting livelihoods and also throwing up economic, political and moral questions with long-term consequences.
In India, federal policy think tank NITI Aayog has a ringside view of the decision-making process. In an interview, NITI Aayog vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar speaks about the priorities of the government, the industries that need fiscal support, and why it is important to take a long, hard look at conventional ideas of fiscal prudence.
Edited excerpts: The policy choice so far the government has made seeks to save lives even at the expense of the economy, which it has