In Prime Minister Narendra Modi's video conference with chief ministers today, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray spoke about what is being done by his government in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the state, and a host of other issues.
Thackeray talked about the state's plans on 'unlocking', while demanding immediate approval of some drug treatments. He also spoke on directing farmers to seek immediate loans from nationalised banks, and suggested a single formula for examinations across the country.
The Maharashtra CM also briefed all about the number of health facilities built in the state in the past two and a half months and how the state has started turning the economic cycle around by signing agreements with big investors from China, US, South Korea and Singapore, including the recently signed investment agreements worth Rs 16,000 crore with 12 major companies. This, he said, will also provide employment to 14,000 people.
Thackeray said that in the last few days, Maharashtra has built about 3 lakh beds and field hospitals. He also showed the prime minister photographs of the COVID-19 hospitals at BKC Maidan and Nesco, which were inaugurated today. "We have contained the infections in Dharavi," he said. Thackeray also spoke about the need for ventilators in the state's rural areas even as he said that the state had enough PPE kits and N95 masks.
He further pointed out the increase in medical infrastructure, saying that earlier there were only three isolation hospitals, one testing laboratory and 350 beds. Today, there are 97 laboratories, 282 dedicated COVID-19 hospitals, 434 dedicated COVID-19 health centres and 1,631 dedicated COVID-19 centres. He said that 2,347 facilities have been set up for COVID-19 in all 36 districts and in terms of the availability of beds, the CM pointed out that there are at present, 2,81,290 isolation beds, 37,845 oxygen beds, 7,982 ICU beds, 80,000 beds in 1,543 quarantine facilities and 3,028 ventilators, 5,63,468 PPE and 10,77,313 masks. He also highlighted the fact that there are jumbo separation facilities, including the separation and treatment centre at Nehru Science Center, Racecourse Ground, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Goregaon Exhibition Center. He informed about the 500-bed COVID-19 hospital by Wipro, which will be operational at Pune, and St. George's Hospital in Mumbai which has been declared as a dedicated COVID-19 hospital, with 200 beds. Besides the dedicated COVID-19 hospital of 1,000 beds started in Phase II at MMRDA, he also spoke about the COVID-19 hospital in Thane. The CM said that 44,106 bus trips have been undertaken till May 31, 2020, and 5,37,593 migrants were taken to the state border or railway stations, and 12,03,139 foreign workers have been released by 834 trains—Rs 97.69 crore was provided from the Chief Minister's Assistance Fund for these workers' tickets.
The CM did not directly name the drug Remdesivir, which the state's task force has been requesting to be distributed to various hospitals across the state for critical care patients. But, he did mention that "various drugs which are showing positive results" should be approved as soon as possible. He cited the examples of many who have recovered, especially the aged and children, suggesting that the treatment given in the state is proving to be effective.
Talking about the measures to restart schools and higher institutions of learning, the CM admitted that the state is not in the position to conduct exams right away. But, for non-vocational courses, the state government has decided to come up with a formula for determining marks based on last year's marks. Students who are not satisfied with the marks obtained in this manner, will also have the opportunity to appear for the final examinations. He requested the Centre to take a uniform decision in the matter of vocational and non-vocational examinations through various Central educational institutions.
The CM expressed gratitude for the local trains being allowed to kickstart in the state for essential service staff and employees. He also said that the extension of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana for the next three months from July will benefit the ration card holders.
He also brought to the notice of the PM that, till date, 78 flights arrived in the state, bringing 12,974 people from abroad. A total of 80 flights will arrive by July 1.
So far, travellers from these countries have arrived in Mumbai: United Kingdom, Singapore, Philippines, USA, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Kuwait, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Oman, South Africa, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Japan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Tanzania, Spain, Ireland, Qatar, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Kenya, Miami, Vietnam, Italy, Sweden, Ethiopia, Rome, Germany, Dubai, Malawi, West Indies, Norway and Cairo.
Talking about the distribution of foodgrains, the CM informed PM Modi that till June 2020, 14,80,842 quintals of foodgrains from Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana have been distributed, of which there were 4,06,762 quintals of rice and 29,956 quintals of dal—1,46,270 quintals were distributed to APL Orange Card holders in the same month, while 5kg rice was distributed to 99,80,000 people under the Prime Minister's Poor Welfare Food Scheme.
The CM said that about 2.77 lakh people have benefited from non-card holders in Atmanirbhar Bharat Yojana. Speaking on the kickstarting of industries and businesses in order to revive the economy, the CM said that 60,000 small and big industries have been started and 1.5 million people are coming to work. 48,250 works of employment guarantee scheme are in progress, he informed.