MAHARASHTRA Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday indicated the imposition of a strict lockdown in the State given the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases, underlining the need to save the lives of people and clamping of strict restrictions to break the transmission chain of coronavirus. Speaking at an all-party meeting held virtually to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the State, the Chief Minister also said that his Government will address the issues of the livelihood of poor, labourers and daily-wagers.

 

“The number of patients is increasing so fast that if we do not decide on a lockdown today, a lockdown-like situation will automatically arise tomorrow. Today the situation is getting worse. We are also constantly considering COVID-19 task force experts in the State. “On the one hand there is a public sentiment but on the other hand, there is an outbreak of coronavirus, in which case if you want to win this battle you have to go through some hardships,” a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) quoted him as saying.

 

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Ministers Ashok Chavan, Balasaheb Thorat, Dilip Walse Patil, Eknath Shinde, Jayant Patil, Rajesh Tope, Amit Deshmukh, along with State Congress president Nana Patole, Leader of Opposition in Assembly Devendra Fadnavis, Pravin Darekar, State BJP chief Chandrakant Patil and others. Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte briefed the meeting about the prevailing situation in the state and the challenges faced by the State Government to stem the spread of cases. “If the coronavirus cycle is to be stopped, strict restrictions will have to be imposed. We have to prioritise saving lives first. If this is a health emergency, the priority should be the health and well-being of the citizens,” he said. The CM said the suggestions made by the Leader of the Opposition (Fadnavis) will definitely be taken seriously.

 

“They have come up with good suggestions,” he added. He said the Government will particularly act on the suggestions such as ensuring the availability of Remedisivir injections; early receipt of test reports and necessary instruction to the laboratory, besides the careful planning for ensuring availability of oxygen. Thackeray also underlined the need to expand the vaccination drive in the State. It will be ensured that the poor and the working class people won’t suffer while imposing strict restrictions, the CM added.

 

While Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said he would hold a meeting on Monday on working out a financial package for the sections whose livelihood will be impacted, his colleague Ashok Chavan said the “nature, scope and duration of the lockdown will be finalised soon”. “The BJP feels a lockdown is necessary, but the Government should first work out a financial package for the people who will be affected,” state unit president Chandrakant Patil said. Senior NCP leader and minister Nawab Malik said the CM will hold talks with the state COVID-19 task force on Sunday before taking a decision. “There is unanimity among the leaders who attended the meeting today that a lockdown or strict restrictions are necessary to break the coronavirus transmission chain. The Government will also consider providing a financial package to daily wagers as well as to the people whose livelihood will get affected (due to the lockdown). The meeting was held to arrive at a consensus on steps to be taken,” he told reporters.