Have to decide on lockdown as situation getting worse: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray
Mumbai, Apr 10: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday indicated the imposition of a strict lockdown in the state given the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases, underlining the need to save the lives of people and clamping of strict restrictions to break the transmission chain of coronavirus.
Speaking at an all-party meeting held virtually to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the state, the chief minister also said that his government will address the issues of the livelihood of poor, labourers and daily-wagers.
"The number of patients is increasing so fast that if we do not decide on a lockdown today, a lockdown-like situation will automatically arise tomorrow. Today the situation is getting worse. We are also constantly considering COVID-19 task force experts in the state.
"On the one hand there is a public sentiment but on the other hand, there is an outbreak of coronavirus, in which case if you want to win this battle you have to go through some hardships," a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) quoted him as saying.
Maharashtra's overall COVID-19 case tally stood at 33,43,951 as on Saturday while the overall death toll is 57,638. The state is now left with 5,36,682 active cases.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, ministers Ashok Chavan, Balasaheb Thorat, Dilip Walse Patil, Eknath Shinde, Jayant Patil, Rajesh Tope, Amit Deshmukh, along with state Congress president Nana Patole, Leader of Opposition in Assembly Devendra Fadnavis, Pravin Darekar, state BJP chief Chandrakant Patil and others.
Maharashtra chief secretary Sitaram Kunte briefed the meeting about the prevailing situationin the state and the challenges faced by the state government to stem the spread of cases.
"If the coronavirus cycle is to be stopped, strict restrictions will have to be imposed. We have to prioritise saving lives first. If this is a health emergency, the priority should be the health and well-being of the citizens," he said.
The CM said the suggestions made by the Leader of the Opposition (Fadnavis) will definitely be taken seriously.
"They have come up with good suggestions," he added.
He said the government will particularly act on the suggestions such as ensuring the availability of Remedisivir injections; early receipt of test reports and necessary instruction to the laboratory, besides the careful planning for ensuring availability of oxygen.
"People were at home in the lockdown last year which made it easier to find patients and trace their contacts. Now that everything is open, the Centre should understand that there are practical difficulties in this," the CM said.
Thackeray also underlined the need to expand the vaccination drive in the state.
"The UK has already had a strict lockdown for two months but during that time it protected citizens by launching a massive vaccination campaign. The younger generation today needs to be vaccinated. Pfizer plans to vaccinate children in the age group of 12 to 15 years," he said.
It will be ensuredthat the poor and the working class people won't suffer while imposing strict restrictions, the CM added.
"We are also constantly considering the views of the task force experts. I have been talking to people from different fields of life for the last few days. Yesterday, I spoke to directors of private hospitals. Everyone is ready to cooperate with the state government," he said.
He appealed to leaders cutting across the party lines to lend their support to whatever decision is taken "keeping the health of the people of the state in mind".
Fadnavis said a unilateral lockdown will not work, and if imposed, it will cause unrest in people.
"People had already suffered in the last year (due to the lockdown)," the senior BJP leader said, adding all sections of the society need to be taken into confidence.
While Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said he would hold a meeting on Monday on working out a financial package for the sections whose livelihood will be impacted, his colleague Ashok Chavan said the "nature, scope and duration of the lockdown will be finalised soon".
"The BJP feels a lockdown is necessary, but the government should first work out a financial package for the people who will be affected," state unit president Chandrakant Patil said.
Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole said his party was in support of whatever decision the CM takes.
"However, Congress wants the lockdown to be less problematic, unlike the last year. We support a financial package for the affected population. The Opposition said that a financial package should be announced first," he said.
Patole blamed the rise in coronavirus positive cases in Maharashtra on the "poor supply" of vaccines.
State PWD Minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Chavan said the state government's priority is to save the lives and livelihood of the people.
Senior NCP leader and minister Nawab Malik said the CM will hold talks with the state COVID-19 task force on Sunday before taking a decision.
"There is unanimity among the leaders who attended the meeting today that a lockdown or strict restrictions are necessary to break the coronavirus transmission chain. The government will also consider providing a financial package to daily wagers as well as to the people whose livelihood will get affected (due to the lockdown). The meeting was held to arrive at a consensus on steps to be taken," he told reporters.
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Akeal Hosein bosses powerplay overs with 'skill and mental fortitude'
New Delhi (PTI): For a spinner who bowls majority of his overs in the powerplay, Chennai Super Kings' West Indian import Akeal Hosein relies as much on mental fortitude as his skills to excel in the most unforgiving phase of the game.
With just two fielders in the deep in the first six overs, the margin for error is miniscule and the pressure is sky high.
However, Hosein thrives in that tense environment. The left-arm spinner returned with frugal figures of 3-0-15-1 in the powerplay to play a crucial role in his team's eight-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in an IPL match here on Tuesday.
"You need both of them (skill and mental toughness). Especially when you come upon pitches that aren't conducive to spin and it's just about being disciplined as well," he said.
"Having two fielders out in the power play. It's not a job that you can go searching for wickets or you can be too greedy. It's just about sticking to the plan," he explained.
Hosein got the all-important wicket of an in-form K L Rahul, who was foxed by the West Indian as he stepped out to smash him for an inside out six.
Hosein's inclusion in the playing eleven after not being picked in the initial phase of the tournament has allowed CSK to win more games. On Tuesday, the pitch offered him a bit of help and he ended up dominating the batters.
After the win over DC, Hosein was asked about his recipe for success in the powerplay.
"...it's a bit scripted because you only have two guys out so it's just about being disciplined and trying to do the job for the team. At the end of the day if you don't get wickets and you bowl economically in the power play, that's a damn good job you've done for the team," said Hosein.
He has taken seven wickets in five games at an impressive economy rate of 7.25.
Fully aware that the batter is a mere couple of hits away from putting the pressure back on him, Hosein says practising for high-pressure situations helps him stay in the present.
"I think homework is very important. You want to have that head-start when you come up against whichever batter you're going to face. And like I say it's just about making assessments as quickly as possible.
"You might come up on a pitch that is spinning. You might come up against one that isn't spinning. Thankfully I can spin the ball. So it's just about picking which deliveries will give you the most success on a particular day and against a particular batter," said Hosein.
He got rid of Rahul first ball from the other end, something that was decided by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Post powerplay, Noor Ahmad took over the mantle from Hosein and maintained the pressure on DC batters.
"Getting the opportunity to bowl first for me is just about again making that assessment as quickly as possible and then passing on that information to Noor or even to the seamers as well if it was a bit of spin or if it's gripping or whatever the case is.
"So conversations with myself and Noor have been fantastic. Really happy for him that he's getting some success," he added.
