In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday informed that the state government has introduced ‘Shiv Bhojan Thali’ scheme for those who don’t have a ration card.
During his Live address via social media, CM Uddhav Thackeray said that over 15 lakh meals are being provided on a daily basis under the ‘Shiv Bhojan Thali’ scheme. The Maharashtra government has reduced the price of the state-sponsored meal from ₹10 to ₹5.
The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government had introduced the ‘Shiv Bhojan Thali’ for the needy and marginalised in the state. In order to take care of the stranded people from other states and migrant workers amid the coronavirus outbreak, the Uddhav Thackeray government will start this scheme at Taluka level as well.
On Tuesday, Maharashtra government held its first-ever cabinet meeting via video conference and decided that the ‘Shiv Bhojan Thali’ will be available at ₹5 for the next three months. Thackeray also said that the state government is providing food and shelter to over five lakh migrant workers and labourers.
The Maharashtra cabinet also approved the decision to provide food grains along with other essentials at discount for those who possess the 'Kesari' ration card. This decision is applicable for three months - from April to June. The 'orange' ration card is for those who have an annual income between ₹15,000 to ₹1 lakh.
Thackeray said that he has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing the need to supply food grains at discounted rates to those who with annual income up to ₹1 lakh. The Chief Minister further pointed out that the central government scheme for providing food grains is only for the distribution of rice to beneficiaries of the food security scheme.
While addressing the citizens, the Chief Minister informed that the testing for the coronavirus has been increased in Mumbai and Pune. In Mumbai, the number of cases has increased to 686 while the toll in Maharashtra has crossed the 1,000-mark with 1,078 positive COVID-19 cases.
Uddhav Thackeray informed that 22,000 people are in isolation while 34,000 in quarantine. In Maharashtra, 610 people have mild symptoms while 26 people have severe symptoms.
In the view of the increasing cases, the Chief Minister appealed the citizens to wear masks while going out of their homes. He said that people should develop a habit of using masks when they go out.
Maharashtra Government Set To Launch Fever Clinics: Uddhav Thackeray
'Shiv Bhojan Thali' At ₹5 For Three Months, Decides Maharashtra Cabinet
Share
Tweet
