Prithviraj Chavan: If another lockdown is inevitable govt must compensate loss of wages by direct cash transfer

Maharashtra continues to report highest daily new COVID-19 cases. At a meeting with senior health officials and COVID task force, CM Uddhav Thackeray instructed them to prepare for restrictions similar to lockdown if people continue to violate COVID-related rules.

However the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Nationalist Congress Party have opposed the idea of lockdown in state. Against that background, Health Minister Dr. Rajesh Tope also gave important information. No one likes lockdown. But you don't want to dig a well when you are thirsty. That is why the Chief Minister has instructed the administration to prepare for the lockdown, he said.

However, now the Congress has also directly opposed the lockdown. Congress leader and former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan shared a letter on his Twitter account. The letter says, "If another lockdown is inevitable Govt. must compensate loss of wages by direct cash transfer. If need be MLALAD and MPLAD funds can be diverted", Chavan advised the government.

The number of covid cases are increasing rapidly in the state, with large numbers of patients being found in Marathwada, Vidarbha and Western Maharashtra.

Therefore, there is a dilemma between the administration and the state government. Currently, entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens are expressing their opposition to the lockdown. Therefore, the state government should take note of some issues, Chavan suggested in his letter. 

Highlight of Chavan's press release:

• Give advance notice to the general public before lockdown, he said.
• The duration of lockdown should be kept to a minimum.
• In the meantime, the government should compensate for the loss of employment and deposit the amount directly in the bank account of the beneficiary.
• For this, local funds of MLAs and MPs should be used.
• Travel by private vehicle should be allowed. By continuing to transport agricultural and industrial goods, not to affect the supply chain.
• Increase the number of vaccinations.
   

Former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has given such instructions to the state government. He also pointed out that the sudden lockdown by the central government has hit the economy and pushed nearly 3 crore people in the country below the poverty line.

If another lockdown is inevitable Govt. must compensate loss of wages by direct cash transfer. If need be MLALAD and MPLAD funds can be diverted. My press release - pic.twitter.com/Kj9RlOAaXX

— Prithviraj Chavan (@prithvrj) March 30, 2021