Maharashtra Energy Minister Nitin Raut asked energy firms to produce bills on the basis of average reading. Usually, electricity bills are generated after taking the actual meter reading. An employee from the electricity company goes door to door and collects these reading. This move by the Energy Minister will enable people in Maharasthra and in the electricity companies to maintain social distancing, which in turn can help in containing COVID-19from spreading any further. The rules will come in effect on March 23, 2020 and remain so till further orders.
“From March 23 onwards, all energy bills will be generated on an average basis. No energy bills need to be printed but will be available on the website. Line or outsourcing staff should not disconnect any consumer’s supply for arrears. They should not visit any consumer premises for spot verification,” Raut said.
The total number of people testing positive in the state has gone up to 101. There is already a curfew in the state, which the Maharashtra government has decided to extend till the end of March.
Meanwhile, the state government has imposed Section 144 to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Maharashtra. The state has already reported 89 positive cases.
“The borders of Maharashtra will be sealed and interstates public transport services will be closed down. Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code have been imposed in the metro cities of Maharashtra,” Health Minister Rajesh Tope said.
In the meantime, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved four new private hospitals/health institutions to conduct testing for COVID-19. At present, only institutions like the Kasturba Hospital and KEM Hospital are conducting coronavirus tests, and they’re doing it free of charge. The ICMR mentioned that it received applications from 20 firms for setting up coronavirus testing labs, with only four companies getting the approval. They are:
Thyrocare
Suburban Diagnostics
Metropolis Healthcare Ltd Mumbai
H N Reliance Foundation Hospital
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