Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has demanded that the Center issue guidelines by the end of this month on sending migrant workers to their places of origin in view of the coronovirus-enforced lockdown.
Speaking to the central team led by Additional Secretary Manoj Joshi via video conference on Tuesday evening, Thackeray said that his government has opened shelter camps for over six lakh migrant labourers and is well looked after.
But, these people want to go back to their original places and are also protesting for some time, he pointed out.
“If the central government feels that the coronavirus prevalence will be higher from 30 April to 15 May, then it should consider whether the trapped labourers can be sent back to their homes earlier. If it is possible, guidelines in this regard should be issued,” Thackeray said.
Thackeray said that the Center should consider whether the trapped labourers could be “end-to-end” monitored and after reaching their homes to ensure that coronovirus does not spread, and asked the central government Urged to take timely decision.
he Chief Minister said that 80 per cent of coronovirus patients in the state are asymptomatic and wonder what may be causing it.
He also expressed the need to study what steps are being taken in Dubai to prevent the disease.
“We all know what is happening in the US, but there is a need to study what steps are being taken in Dubai. Coronaviruses enter Maharashtra through these two locations,” he said.
Thackeray also reiterated the demand for more personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators and other medical equipment from the centre.
He also demanded the guidance of the Center on a war footing for the construction of hospitals by the Army if needed.
Thackeray relaxed central government rules to provide food grains to those who do not have ration cards.
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and like us on Facebook for the latest updates and interesting stories.
