Aurangabad, March 30:
The district administration is adamant about implementing the lockdown, but it has been strongly opposed by the public representatives. MP Imtiyaz Jaleel has announced that he will hold an anti-lockdown rally on March 31. In a meeting convened by the district collector today, the public representatives expressed their displeasure over the lockdown being implemented without taking people into consideration.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, MP Jaleel said, "No matter how much pressure there is, I will go on with the march against lockdown on March 31. We will hold a march the next day even if we are stopped and charged." MLA Haribhau Bagade said, "Lockdown is not a solution. The public representatives were not even asked about implementing the lockdown. The administration must create more awareness." Workers are allowed to work in factories but workers in the construction sector are banned. What should poor people do, asked MLC Satish Chavan. He also expressed his displeasure over the lack of trained doctors and staff even though beds and ventilators were available for patients. Chavan also asked the district collector why traders are not permitted to do home delivery if Amazon has permission. Zilla Parishad president Meena Shelke, commissioner of police Nikhil Gupta, municipal commissioner Dr Astik Kumar Pandey, chief executive officer of Zilla Parishad Dr Mangesh Gondawale, superintendent of police Mokshada Patil and officers of the concerned department were present.
Meeting was just a formality
MLA Atul Save said the meeting was just for formality. Because they have already taken the decision to implement the lockdown. No meeting of the public representatives has been held in the last one and a half months. Even the guardian minister has ignored us. MLA Sanjay Shirsath expressed his strong feelings against the lockdown. MP Dr Bhagwat Karad was not present at the meeting as he was in Delhi while MLA Pradip Jaiswal was present.
Lockdown to control patient rise: Collector
In order to control the number of corona patients, initially, a night curfew, then a partial lockdown and now a complete lockdown has been implemented, said, district collector Sunil Chavan at the meeting. He provided information through a presentation. Chavan said the decision to lockdown had to be taken as the number of hotspots in the district and especially in the city was increasing. With regard to the 850 vacancies in the GMCH, Chavan directed the dean to revoke the licenses of those who are not ready to do service. He informed that a survey of SARI and fever patients is being conducted in the district.