City
Epaper

CM Thackeray writes to PM; 'Declare COVID-19 pandemic a natural calamity, allow use of SDRF'

By Lokmat English Desk | Updated: April 15, 2021 12:56 IST

The number of corona patients in the country is increasing day by day. The rapid growth of covid cases ...

Open in App

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 Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has announced a 'Break the Chain' campaign to curb the rising covid cases. A curfew has been imposed in the state from today. Section 144 will be applicable in the next 15 days in the state. The Chief Minister has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the growing covid cases in the state. The chief minister has demanded that Corona be declared a natural disaster. He also requested the PM to allow the State Disaster Response Fund, or SDRF, to be used to provide individual benefits to affected people.

Chief Minister Thackeray addressed the people of the state on Tuesday. 'Natural disasters are declared after earthquakes, droughts, floods after which, financial help is given to the victims. We have all accepted the Corona pandemic as a natural calamity. Therefore, financial assistance should be given to those whose livelihood is in crisis due to this natural calamity, 'the Chief Minister had said.

Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte confirmed that the Chief Minister had written a letter to the Prime Minister. 'The Covid-19 pandemic was a calamity. But the disaster has not been declared a natural calamity. Therefore, it is not possible to provide personal financial assistance to those affected by this crisis. The decision to declare Corona a natural calamity is a policy decision that the Centre could take . The Center should take steps in this regard, 'said Kunte.

Tags: Uddhav ThackerayNarendra ModiHealth MinistryMinistry Of HealthCoronavirusCovid-19State disaster response force
Open in App

Related Stories

MumbaiMumbai: Social Worker Duped of Rs 4 Lakh Using Fake Letter With PM Modi’s Forged Signature; Two Arrested

OpinionsRein in War Profiteers!

MaharashtraSunetra Pawar Reaches Out to Uddhav Thackeray for Support Ahead of Baramati Bypoll

MaharashtraSurya Tilak Ram Navami 2026: Divine Sunbeam Illuminates Ram Lalla’s Forehead in Ayodhya (Watch Video)

NationalNo Lockdown in India: Government Squashes Rumours, Calls Viral Claims 'Irresponsible and Harmful'

Politics Realted Stories

PoliticsAssam Congress spokespersons circulating forged documents of foreign governments, alleges state BJP

PoliticsKC Venugopal makes cash-distribution allegations against Palakkad BJP candidate, District Collector submits report

Politics"Vote for a Puducherry run by its own people": Rahul Gandhi urges voters to vote for Congress ahead of assembly polls

Politics"Women's perspectives will finally be heard": Sachetataa Foundation President hails Reservation Bill

PoliticsAssam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma slams Congress over 'fabricated documents', targets Pawan Khera