News Analysis India

Tag: Maharashtra Covid 19 Lockdown

  • Lockdown not a solution for COVID-19 surge: BJP’s Chandrakant Patil

    By PTI
    PUNE: A day after Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray asked officials to prepare a plan for implementation of a lockdown, state BJP president Chandrakant Patil said lockdown is not a solution for the rise in cases of coronavirus.

    Talking to reporters here after meeting Pune Police Commissioner Amitabh Gupta, Patil said not the only BJP, but all traders and workers from unorganised sectors will oppose the lockdown.

    “Lockdown is not an answer to the increasing COVID-19 cases in the state. If the lockdown is imposed, you (state government) will not give any package (for relief to affected people). How people lived in the last one year cannot be understood by sitting inside ‘Matoshree’,” Patil said.

    ‘Matoshree’ is the residence of CM Thackeray in Bandra area of Mumbai.

    Patil said there is no objection to night curfew, but activities during the day should be continued.

    “I am okay with the night curfew. Nobody goes out at night. There are some people with you (in state government) who go out as they want nightlife,” the BJP leader said.

    He was apparently referring to state minister Aaditya Thackeray who had pitched for the revival of nightlife in Mumbai.

    “If you really want to impose lockdown, announce a package and give Rs 5,000 per month to every worker from the unorganised sector,” Patil said.

    Testing, tracing and treatment of COVID-19patients are the keys to check the spread of the viral infection, but lockdown is not an answer, he asserted.

    Asked about speculation in political circles that NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Union Home Minister Amit Shah met in Ahmedabad on Saturday, Patil said he has no details of it.

    “All such meetings take place routinely.

    In the Indian culture, politics is on one side, but we all should meet.

    Of late, such meetings have decreased in Maharashtra (among opponents),” he said.

    Patil said since Pawar and Shah were there (in Ahmedabad), they might have met.

    The NCP shares power in Maharashtra with the Shiv Sena and Congress.

    Asked whether he is okay if the BJP and NCP come together, Patil said whatever decision is taken by senior leadership of the BJP, it will be accepted as it will always be in the interest of the party.

    Patil also wished good health to Pawar (80), who will undergo surgery at a hospital in Mumbai after it was diagnosed that he has gall bladder issue.

  • Maharashtra: Week-long Covid-19 lockdown in Nagpur, hundreds fined on first day

    By PTI
    NAGPUR: A week-long lockdown with strict restrictions came into force in Nagpur district of Maharashtra on Monday to contain the rise in COVID-19 cases.

    Hundreds of persons were fined for not wearing masks and vehicles were detained during the day.

    The lockdown will continue till March 21, during which period people have been asked to avoid leaving home unless necessary so that the chain of infection can be broken, officials said.

    The district on Monday reported 2,297 new COVID-19 cases, taking the overall tally to 1,72,799, and 12 deaths.

    Speaking to reporters in the evening, city police commissioner Amitesh Kumar informed that as of 3.00 pm, 638 vehicles were detained for unwarranted movement, fine was imposed on 861 people for not wearing masks, and 363 were fined for not maintaining physical distancing.ALSO READ | COVID-19 positivity rate in Delhi is at 0.6 pc, says Satyendra Jain

    As many as 14 offences were registered at various policestations.

    Nagpur Municipal Commissioner Radhakrishnan B said the response to the lockdown was good on the first day.

    “Movement of people was not affected, only unwanted movement is being restricted,” the civic chief told PTI.

    As many as 99 check points have been set up across Nagpur and eight on the city’s border.

    Besides, 99 patrolling vehicles, two companies of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), six platoons of the Riot Control Police and 500 Home Guards have been deployed for the implementation of the lockdown, said the commissioner.

    Only one person is allowed to travel on a two-wheeler and two persons in a four-wheeler.

    Two persons are permitted on a two-wheeler if they are heading to a hospital or going for vaccination, he said.

    Local residents are allowed to travel to other cities as per the guidelines laid down by the district administration.

    Passenger and goods vehicles going out or passing through Nagpur city are allowed to travel via the Outer Ring Road.

    The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court will conduct hearings through video-conference till March 21.