Highlighting challenges in battling the second wave of Covid-19 infections in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “press in” the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and make use of all choices, together with the airlift of medical oxygen, for fast motion.
He has additionally requested the PM to grant obligatory licences to items exporting remdesivir to provide and promote them within the home market.
In a letter dated April 13, the Chief Minister mentioned that primarily based on present projections and price of testing, Maharashtra might have 11.9 lakh energetic circumstances by April 30.
“The biggest concern is Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) supply. The requirement of medical oxygen in the state is crossing the total capacity of 1,200 MT of LMO manufacturing. We have projected the demand will be close to 2,000 MT per day by April-end,” he wrote.
He mentioned the state has began lifting oxygen from close by areas. It can be mobilising tankers to carry oxygen cylinders from far-off areas.
“But some of these areas are located at a distance and face disruption risks… I request you to press in NDMA for this movement and all options, including air-lifting these quantities, be considered,” Thackeray mentioned.
Welcoming the Union authorities’s resolution to ban the export of remdesivir, he wrote: “I request you to direct authorities to grant compulsory licence as per Section 92 of Indian Patents Act, 1970, which will facilitate approval to these exporting units to produce and sell Remdesivir in domestic market.”
In one other letter, Thackeray requested the Prime Minister to take varied measures to offer aid to the individuals affected by the pandemic. The deadline for submitting GST returns for March and April, he mentioned, needs to be prolonged by three months.
He mentioned the pandemic could also be notified as a pure calamity and funds from the State Disaster Response Fund be allowed for use for giving advantages to the affected.
“The state may be allowed to pay gratuitous relief of Rs 100 per adult per day and Rs 60 per child per day during the period of lockdown to all Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority House Hold (PHH) family members, whose names are found in AAY and PHH rations cards,” he mentioned.
Officials mentioned that round 7 crore individuals, coated below the National Food Security Act, could profit if the Centre permits the state’s proposal.
Underlining the influence of Covid-19 restrictions on many financial actions, Thackeray additionally mentioned that financial institution instalments of the primary quarter needs to be deferred with out curiosity being charged.
