On Maharashtra's Covid Schemes, Devendra Fadnavis' "Repackaging" Jibe

Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday announced a new set of restrictions themed as "break the chain", chiefly prohibiting public movement and shutting non-essential services till May 1.

Maharashtra Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday accused the Maha Vikas Aghadi government of repackaging the Centre's ongoing schemes and presenting them as its own measures for people affected by the COVID-19 curbs. Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, the BJP leader said the measures announced by the Uddhav Thackeray government were an eyewash, as it has simply repackaged the Centre's schemes and presented it as its own. "A huge population is going to be affected due to the newly-announced curbs amid the pandemic, but it will not receive any financial assistance from this government," Mr Fadnavis said. At least 88 lakh people in the state are not covered in the Food Security Act because of a faulty survey conducted in 2011, and the chief minister has not announced any assistance for these people, he said.