All shops, offices in Mumbai, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nagpur closed down from midnight barring essential commodities shops
Mumbai, March 20, 2020: Stating that it is not possible to close down public transport completely, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said that there is a need to make more vigorous efforts to prevent spread of Corona epidemic and it is essential to take more precautions for next 15 to 20 days. As a part of these precautions, Chief Minister told that the presenty in Government offices would be brought down to 25 per cent. During his live broadcast, Chief Minister announced that all shops, establishments and private offices would be closed down till March 31st which fall in Mumbai Metropolitan region as well as Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Nagpur. He announced that these orders would be implemented from midnight and only shops which are related to essential commodities, milk and medical shops can be opened.
Stating that if at all there is any doubt in the minds of people, they can contact either district collector or municipal commissioner, Chief Minister appealed it to the shop owners that even though the shops are closed down, please do not stop paying their daily minimum wages or salaries to the workers working in the shops since they have their livelihood on their jobs.
Stating that time has come for all of us to remain at home to be alive, Chief Minister said that many people have started helping and many stalwarts have stopped their work to help us. He said that he thanks to people from film industry and sports field who have taken initiative in this regard.
Stating that whatever Government was doing for larger public interest, Chief Minister said that many people have suggested to close down trains and buses but how can we provide transport to people who are working for emergency services? How would municipal corporation workers and drivers of various Government vehicles commute? That is the reason, we have decided against stopping public transport and have brought down number of employees in Government offices to 25 per cent. He reminded that it was only two days back that he had taken the decision of bringing down this number to fifty per cent.
Extend the deadline of 31st March for filing income tax return
Chief Minister Thackeray also told that he has requested Union Finance Minister Nirmala Seetharaman to extend the date for filing due returns and the revised income tax returns of financial year 2018-19. Chief Minister informed that he has also requested her to increase deadline for filing advanced tax under section 234 B and extending the deadline of March 22nd for filing GST return for 2020.
