Keypoints:
- Following the restrictions, Government should also focus on supporting the poor and the middle class with financial aid, said Fadnavis.
- State government had collected arrears to the tune of ₹5,000 crore from the people for defaulting on the payment of electricity bills, added Fadnavis.
On Sunday, senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis appealed the citizens of Maharashtra to follow the Covid-19 norms and regulations. To tackle the spread of the Covid-19 cases in the state, weekend lockdown has been announced along with night curfews on weekdays.
In the Legislative Assembly, Fadnavis also said that the government should focus on supporting the poor and the middle class by providing them with financial aid.
Fadnavis also said that the state government has collected arrears to the tune of ₹5,000 crore from the people for defaulting on the payment of electricity bills. “The government should stop this (collecting the arrears) now,” the BJP leader told reporters.
Amid the Covid spike in the state, the virus has created an alarming situation, to tackle the Covid spread, the government on Sunday announced a weekend lockdown in the state from 8 pm on Friday to 7 am on Monday.
Along with the weekend lockdown, night curfews have been implemented to curb the virus. Strict restrictions has come into force from Monday itself. Under these restrictions, places like shopping malls, bars, restaurants, small shops will be open only for take-aways and parcels. All the government offices will be allowed to function only at 50 per cent of their capacity.
“Lockdown or a partial lockdown is okay. We will support the government, but it should also focus on providing financial assistance to the poor and the middle class,” Fadnavis said.
“Awareness should be created about the nature of the precautions that need to be taken by the people because of the new strain of the virus. Why Maharashtra is the worst affected?” he asked.Fadnavis also said the Centre had helped all states, including Maharashtra, in tackling the pandemic.
“At the same time, the state government should stop blaming the Centre for its failures and stop playing politics on this issue,” he said.Fadnavis said workers of the BJP will help the people in registration of vaccination.
“When the chief minister calls us seeking our cooperation, we agree to it. But, at the same time, the government should stop playing politics and stop blaming the Centre for its failures,” he added.
