Maharashtra: Decision on August curbs in next week’s review meeting, says Ajit Pawar

PUNE: Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday said a decision on restrictions for the month of August in view of the Covid-19 pandemic would be taken next week and chief minister Uddhav Thackeray would announce the norms.

“We had a preliminary round of meeting yesterday (on Friday), but nothing was decided. We are scheduled to meet again on July 28 or 29, when the further course of action will be decided,” he told TOI.
The deputy chief minister said the decision on relaxation of norms and restrictions would be taken after considering the situation across the state, especially the rising cases in Aurangabad, Solapur, Thane, Pune and Mumbai.
“Whether there will be lockdown or no lockdown and what restrictions will have to be followed will be decided after reviewing the situation in all the districts. We have to take decisions in the interest of state as a whole, and according to the central government guidelines,” Ajit Pawar said.
“Personally, even as one would wish that there is no lockdown in the state at all and everything should be back to normal, one cannot decide anything in haste without proper consultation with experts and the local administration,” he said, adding that all senior leaders would attend the review meeting.
Justifying the recent 10-day total lockdown in Pune, Ajit Pwar said the rising cases and the positivity rate in the district were a matter of concern. The decision to go for it was taken after discussions with the chief minister.
“Random decisions are not taken. Every step is initiated after proper consultation with all officials, the chief minister and all senior ministers in the cabinet,” he said.
The deputy chief minister said the Pune district was carrying out the maximum number of tests at present and the positivity rate was nearly 23%. “Experts have told us that it is better to ramp up the testing as it will help in early detection, contact tracing and treatment,” he said.
On why Mumbai did not have a fresh round of lockdown despite having large number of cases, he said he did not want to compare the two cities. He said as the guardian minister of Pune, he announced the lockdown after consultations.