Maharashtra: Traders threaten to protest against COVID-19 curbs
What's the story
Traders in Aurangabad District of Maharashtra have threatened to protest against restrictions imposed by the Maharashtra government to curb the spread of COVID-19. As per the State Government's order of "Break the Chain," all shops under the non-essential category will remain closed till April 30. The Maharashtra Nabhik Mahamandal has expressed unhappiness with the State Government's order. Here are more details.
Information
Salon owners will shave off head, will stage ghantanaad
The Mahamandal on Wednesday said that salon-owners will burn an effigy of the government on Saturday and shave off their heads as part of the mundan andolan on April 22 and will stage a ghantanaad agitation outside their shops on April 14.
Details
'Allow us to open our shops or permit self-immolation'
Representatives of the Aurangabad District Vyapari Mahasangh met the District Collector Sunil Chavan on Wednesday and submitted a memorandum, saying that they should either be allowed to open their shops or given permission for self-immolation. They also met Minister of State for Revenue Abdul Sattar. Nearly two lakh laborers are employed with about 40,000 merchants in the District, according to the traders' body.
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Timings of the shop can be curtailed: Kale
"We want the coronavirus spread to come under control and are willing to cooperate for it, but the economy should also run," said Jagannath Kale, the President of District Vyapari Mahasangh. "We have no problem if the timings for these shops are shortened," Kale said, adding that the merchants and traders are in "wait and watch" mode and expect some relief from the government.
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Non-essential shops should be permitted to operate with restrictions: Kale
Kale said that shops that don't come under the definition of essentials should be permitted to operate with some restrictions. According to the new COVID-19 protocols, hospitals, medicals stores, shops selling vegetables, groceries, dairies, and bakeries have been permitted to operate.
Weekend lockdown
Strict lockdown during weekends, only essential services allowed
Owing to the surge in COVID-19 cases, the state government imposed new COVID-19 restrictions on Sunday. Maharashtra will witness a strict lockdown during the weekends. Only essential services are allowed to operate during the weekend lockdown. On weekdays, bars, restaurants, etc. will only remain open for takeaway parcels. Gatherings of five or more people will remain prohibited throughout the day under IPC Section 144.
Night Curfew
Night curfew has been imposed in the state
The night curfew which was earlier imposed by the State Government continues to remain in effect. All public gatherings are banned during the night curfew. Government offices are functioning at 50 percent capacity. Political rallies are banned. Public transport is running at 50 percent capacity. Housing societies with five or more COVID-19 positive cases are being declared as containment zone.
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Non-compliance with rules will attract fines
All public places— including social, cultural, political, and religious gatherings are banned. Non-compliance to the guidelines will attract a fine of Rs. 1,000. The State Government has also penalized not wearing masks with a fine of Rs. 500.
COVID-19 cases
Maharashtra recorded 59,907 fresh cases on Wednesday
Maharashtra, which is the worst-hit state in India continued to report a high surge in COVID-19 cases. On Wednesday, the state recorded 59,907 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 31,73,261 COVID-19 cases. On Monday, 2,31,250 tests were done. So far, the state has reported 26,13,627 recoveries and 56,652 deaths. At 26 percent, the state continued to record a high daily positivity rate.
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Maharashtra CM has set a target of 2.5 lakh testings
Earlier this month, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said that he cannot rule out the possibility of a statewide lockdown. He has set a target of 2.5 lakh COVID-19 tests daily, adding that over 1.8 lakh people are being tested across Maharashtra every day.
Vaccines
Hundreds of COVID-19 vaccination centers shut in Pune, Satara
Meanwhile, the COVID-19 vaccination drive hit a roadblock in Maharashtra as centers were shut down in several areas of the state including Pune, Satara, and Panvel, reportedly due to a lack of vaccine stocks. Yesterday, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope had warned that the state was running out of doses. However, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan denied the claims of a vaccine shortage.