Coronavirus: Don’t assume that nothing will happen to me

Mumbai 23, 2020: Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has suggested that the next fifteen days should be taken seriously and asked to focus on the health system, create widespread awareness and work in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, while enhancing the health system.

Today, the Chief Minister interacted with all the Divisional Commissioners, District Collectors, Municipal Officers, Police Officers through video conferencing. He was speaking on the occasion. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat, Industries Minister Subhash Desai, Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope, Environment Minister Aditya Thackeray, Chief Secretary Ajoy Mehta, Director General of Police Subodh Jaiswal, Mumbai Police Commissioner Paramvir Singh, Commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Pravin Pardeshi and senior officers of all government departments were present on this occasion.

Suggesting about effective functioning of tracking and tracing, the Chief Minister said that attention should be given to the kits, masks, ventilators, hospital facilities needed for virus testing ; temporary but largely equipped health systems should be created in case of a large number of patients arrive. If needed Army guidance should be sought for the construction of such hospitals.

He also suggested that ASHA and Anganwadi system of working at the village level should be set up and kept ready and they sould be given the necessary training.

●Don’t assume that nothing will happen to me

The Chief Minister repeated his call that the people of the state should not dwell on the assumption that nothing will happen to me. We have reached the critical stage of the outbreak of the Corona virus, so the citizens should not take the measures suggested by the government as strictness rather it should be taken as work in public interest and co-operate with the government by remaining at home unless compelled.

● Divide the work

At the ,Mantralaya, Headquarters level, each work has been divided. Likewise, he urged that work should be distributed on the basis of one man one work and

officers and staff working in the system should take care of their health in order for the system to function efficiently

● Regarding Continuing Essential services

Care must be taken to ensure that the pharmaceuticals and supplying systems of medicines are in operation. Definitions of essential things must be made clear to the people and to the system.

The Chief Minister also said that there is enough stock of essential commodities in the state and arrangements should be made for the distribution of the same.

● Take action on those who move around without cause – Ajit Pawar

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that police should take action to ensure that only people in essential services are allowed to move out of the house and immediate action should be taken against the people moving out without any reason while section 144 is implemented . He informed that instructions have been given for immediate payment of bills coming from Public food supply, Public health, Medical education, police, Food & Drug administration, Urban development departments. He appealed to private establishments not to cut the salaries of workers working in the factories, especially the daily wages workers.

●Spread awareness – Balasaheb Thorat

With the increase of awareness, we will be able to win the fight against the virus successfully. Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat expressed the need to pay attention to this. He said that action should be taken

against the people moving out without any proper reason and care should be taken to ensure that the virus is not transmitted to slums.

●Need to organize Blood Camp – Rajesh Tope

Health Minister Rajesh Tope pointed out that there was a need to organize blood camps in a limited way with all the necessary care to ensure adequate blood supply to the hospitals in the state.

● Essential commodity supply should be smooth – Subhash Desai

Minister for Industries Subhash Desai said that all kinds of fuel, raw materials, bakery and essential services should continue and e-commerce should be encouraged.

Minister Aditya Thackeray informed about the cooperation being received by the Government under CSR in this regard.

●The need for effective governance- Chief Secretary

Chief Secretary Ajay Mehta expressed the need for effective policing and effective administration. He said that a policy control room has been created in the Mantralaya. Everyone has been assigned work. Similarly, work and responsibility should be allocated at the division and district level. Section 144 has been implemented in the state. Although there is a lockdown, people are seen walking in the streets. He also said that lockdown should be effectively implemented with essential services.

He said that there should be no rush at any place of prayer of any caste or religion. Each district should make a transportation plan. He also suggested that employees of the essential service system should be informed about how they can get to work. He said that instructions should be given to the private hospitals in which isolation wards could be created and their list should be forwarded to the Mantralaya.