Raj Thackeray blames migrants’ movement for COVID-19 spike in Maharashtra

Raj Thackeray said he had demanded that migrants who went back home last year be counted and identified after their return. File pic/Atul Kamble

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray has blamed the COVID-19 spike in Maharashtra on the unchecked entry of migrant workers, who returned to the industrial state to retain jobs. He said the state government didn't test the migrants on arrival or counted the number of people entering the various cities and towns of Maharashtra.

He said he had demanded that migrants who went back home last year be counted and identified while going home and after their return. He said the migrants have come from the states where testing was not done and the number of COVID-19 patients not maintained.

"On the other hand, Maharashtra is testing and giving out numbers which gives the impression that it is the only state where COVID-19 is threatening the population and economy," he said on Tuesday after having a zoom meeting with cousin and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray a day before. He has suggested certain measures to the CM to help distressed people and traders who are up in arms against the curbs and weekend lockdown, imposed till April 30. He said the CM has responded positively to his suggestions.

"Why is Maharashtra showing bigger numbers than other states? We're an industrial state that gives jobs. West Bengal doesn't have the pandemic. States where farmers' agitation is being conducted don't show any steep spike. Here in Maharashtra, lakhs of people come in daily from the states where they are not tested. They are the super spreaders," he said, adding that he had suggested that the identity and count of the migrants who left Maharashtra be kept by the state government, and verified when the migrants returned to retain jobs.

"Today its novel Coronavirus, tomorrow it will be something else. We need to have restrictions in place. The people of Maharashtra are sitting home and losing their jobs and money," said Thackeray.

Suggestions by Raj Thackeray

>> Small scale industries are allowed to manufacture but not permitted to sell their products. The shops selling these products be allowed to open at least thrice a week.
>> Stop recovery of bank loans. The CM should tell the banks to sustain for some time
>> Electricity bills for the lockdown/restriction period be waived off
>> Contract labourers hired during the first wave and sacked after the pandemic's intensity decreased, be hired again and given permanent £Entertainment, gyms, barber shops, spas be allowed to remain open at least thrice a week
>> Sportspersons in need of regular practice be allowed to use the facilities
>> Farmers be assured minimum support price
>> Schools/colleges be stopped from recovering fees and government should support their managements for paying salaries
>> The Std X and XII students be promoted without being forced to take the exams