Describing as “alarming” the rise in fresh COVID-19 instances in some districts of Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday warned of taking some “harsh decisions” and asked individuals to be ready. Some districts in Vidarbha area in east Maharashtra, specially Amravati and Nagpur, and Nashik in north Maharashtra have observed the quantity of new instances increasing more than the final handful of days.
Speaking to reporters, Pawar expressed displeasure more than individuals not following the pandemic-acceptable behaviour and violating suggestions. Pawar, who also holds Finance ministry, was in Aurangabad to chair a critique meeting of eight districts beneath the Marathwada area.
“I have come across ((reports that) people are not following the COVID-19 guidelines which are aimed at checking the spread of the infection. If the situation worsens, we may need to pay heavy cost for this carelessness. The number (of new cases in the state) is alarming. We have seen that lockdown was imposed in many parts of the world again in view of the second wave of the pandemic,” he stated. Pawar stated the matter will be discussed with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai tonight.
“Harsh decisions can be taken and the people should remain prepared. If certain decisions are not taken in time then we will have to pay a heavy cost later,” he added. Maharashtra on Sunday recorded 4,092 new coronavirus instances, taking the infection tally to 20,64,278, whilst 40 deaths pushed the toll to 51,529, as per the state government.
While 19,75,603 individuals have recovered so far in the state, there are 35,965 active instances as on Sunday. Meanwhile, Pawar criticised the opposition parties which have demanded that no restrictions be imposed on celebrating the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on February 19. “The government has allowed gathering of 100 people for Shiv Jayanti celebrations, but the Opposition says that restrictions are being imposed by the state government. In the time of pandemic, it is important to save lives of the people. Last year, people celebrated festivals at their homes,” he stated.
The senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader also proposed that political parties frame particular suggestions on holding political events. “People’s gatherings are taking place. Many political parties too started organising programmes as the pandemic graph has gone down in Maharashtra.
Key political parties should sit together and prepare guidelines. People will not accept that political programmes are being held without any restrictions but celebration of festivals is being restricted,” he stated. Pawar stated bills to the tune of Rs 5,000 crore are pending with buyers of electrical energy pumps in Marathwada area.
“Farmers should pay the pending bills so that this fund can be utilised for improving infrastructure in every district. The funds allocated last year for district planning committees in the eight district of Marathwada was Rs 1,865 crore. We will raise it to Rs 2,100 crore this year,” Pawar added.