'Give relief package to farmers, salon owners, florists, dabbawalas and small traders too', demands Nana Patole

The number of corona patients in the country is increasing day by day. The rapid growth of covid cases has become a cause for concern and over the last 10 days, more than 1 lakh corona patients have been found in the country every day. The number of new coronavirus cases in India hit a record daily high with 2,00,739 infections in the last 24 hours pushing the total tally of cases to 1,40,74,564, while the active cases are 14,71,877, according to the Union Health Ministry data. 

Maharashtra is one the worst affected state hit by the pandemic. State government has even announced a 15 day lockdown to curb the spread of the disease. Despite the lockdown and restriction in place, it seems to have no effect in number of rising cases. 

"The package announced by the Maharashtra government in the wake of the Corona pandemic does not include farmers, saloon shopkeepers, florists, taxi drivers, fish sellers, dabbawalas in Mumbai and small traders. As these sections of the state will also be affected by the restrictions imposed to curb covid spread. These section of people should also be given due justice by  announcing a package for them, "demanded Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Nana Patole.

Patole felt that the relief package had indeed left out some sections, but welcomed the measure as a whole. Patole wrote to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in this regard.

"In view of the coronavirus pandemic in the state, the Maharashtra government has declared restrictions to curb covid spread, which is welcomed by the Congress party.
Saving the lives of the people is our priority and the Congress party stands firmly with you for this. As per the discussions held with the leaders of Mahavikas Aghadi, we have announced a package for small businesses for the period of restrictions imposed, on which we extend our heartfelt welcome on behalf of the Congress party. However, there are some other sections that need to be included in the package and the Congress will continue to play a pivotal role in this, "he said in the letter.

The curfew will have a major impact on vegetable, horticulture and floriculture businesses. During this period, there will not be movement of goods in the market. As a result, farmers will suffer financial losses as well as salon shops will be closed and these traders will also suffer huge financial losses. Patole has appealed in his letter to include these important sections in the package and give benefits to these sections.