Maharashtra:The Lockdown Relaxation

Maharashtra is now recovering from the situation caused by the second wave of Covid 19. The administration appears to be satisfied with the outcome of current lockdown and has decided to continue it with some relaxations. However, the way the decision was conveyed to the people, became a matter of confusion for the people and of amusement to some. On Thursday, Maharashtra’s Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vijay Wadettiwar announced that from next day the Covid restrictions would be loosened and reopening process would start. He also announced a 5 level unlock plan as the Covid numbers slowly recede.

Only a few hours later, the Chief Minister’s Office issued a notification that relaxation of restrictions as per situation in different areas was only under consideration and no decision had yet been taken. After the clarification, Wadettiwar also informed the reporters that “in  principle approval was given to phased lifting of lockdown curbs on the basis of positivity rate and availability of oxygen beds” Soon after the revocation of announcement of Vijay  Wadewettiar , Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar clarified in Raigarh that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s decision was final in such matters. BJP leader and former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took a dig at the Maharashtra Government’s U-turn saying that all this happened because ministers wanted to take credit for it.

However, in midnight after 1.30 AM, CMO issued a revised order according to which Maharashtra Government decided to lift lockdown restrictions from Monday , June 7, through its  5 Level unlock plan.

Mucormycosis

In another development on Friday, Maharashtra Govt. capped the rates treatment for Muccomycosis in private hospitals. The notification will be effective till July 31,2021 and it also divides the state into Class A, B and C areas and has fixed different to ensure a balance between rural and urban areas.The hospitals are required to give pre-audited bills to the patient and respective District Collectors and Municipal Commissioners  will be required to appoint auditors in such hospitals/facilities to ensure issuance of pre-audited bills to each and every patient and their relatives.

Orphaned by Covid -19

On last Wednesday,  Maharashtra Govt. announced a scheme of financial assistance for children  who lost their parents Covid-19. The scheme will provide a sum of Rs 5 lakh per child which would be set up fixed deposit. State Women and Child Development Minister Yashomati Thakur said that scheme will cover those below 18 years who have lost both parents to Covid-19 since March 1, 2020.