AGENCIES / MUMBAI
Amid continued rise in COVID-19 cases in Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad and other hotspot areas, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray Thursday convened an all-party meeting through video conferencing.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Cabinet Ministers Ashok Chavan, Balasaheb Thorat, Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis and MNS President Raj Thackeray among others.
The Chief MInister said, the suggestions made by the leaders will be taken seriously to fight COVID-19. Meanwhile, 22 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Aurangabad today, taking the total to 378 in the district.
Leaders from different political parties who attended the meeting called by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray extended their support to the Maharashtra Government. Addressing the all-party meet, Chief Minister Thackeray said that the Prime Minister, Health Minister and Central Government have been very supportive towards the State Government in tackling COVID-19.
He said, due to strict implementation of lockdown the cases did not rise much in the month of April and this month too, utmost care should be taken to ensure that cases do not rise further. Stating that around 25,000 migrants labourers are walking on foot to their home town, senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said that the State Government should request Railways to increase more trains to facilitate the travel of these migrant labourers.
MNS leader Raj Thackeray urged government to increase the police force in containment zones and also to deploy SRPF where lockdown guidelines are not adhered too. Meanwhile, the State Government today in its revised order stated that there will be no need for individual medicial certificates and a certification of passengers manifest shall suffice. The group will need a single list of passengers indicating that they have been screened and found to be not displaying any influenza like illness issued by medical person in-charge.