New Delhi: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (April 15), requesting financial assistance as the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc in the province.
He asked for the pandemic to be declared a natural disaster so that the state could use the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to provide financial aid to those affected.
Thackeray has asked for a three-month extension on filing GST returns. “The deadline for filing GST returns for March and April could be extended by three months,” he added.
“A mini-lockdown is necessary in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic could be declared a natural calamity under the SDRF. As a result, the state could be allowed to pay both AYY (Antodaya Anna Yojana) and Priority Household (PHH) ration card holders Gratuitous Relief of Rs.100 per adult per day and Rs.60 per child per day during lockdown “Mr. Thackeray penned a letter.
The chief minister also requested that the Centre order banks to delay payments due at least in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, and that this be achieved without charging interest.
“Many companies, start-ups, and factories have benefited from bank loans under various Government of India schemes, assisting the country in being ‘Atmanirbhar’ in various sectors. He said, “We must come out with a helping hand for their survival.”
According to the state Health Department, Maharashtra announced 58,952 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the total to 35,78,160, with 278 new deaths bringing the total to 58,804.
With nearly 60,000 new cases on Wednesday and more than 50,000 new cases a day over the past week, Maharashtra holds the unwelcome distinction of being the state most seriously hit by the Covid pandemic. Across the county, hospital beds and life-saving emergency supplies are in short supply.
Mr. Thackeray has previously avoided demanding a complete lockout, but with cases mounting, infectious virus stains, and vaccinations in poor supply, he does not have an alternative.
On Tuesday, he sent a warning to citizens of the province, saying, “The war has started (again)” and announcing a slew of new restrictions. He admitted that the sanctions would hurt the economy, but said that he had no choice; “… bread and butter is important, but saving lives is also important,” he stated.
