Declare Covid a pure calamity, let SDRF be used to assist folks affected by curbs, Uddhav Thackeray urges PM Modi

A day after asserting a monetary bundle of Rs 5,476 crore for folks of assorted sectors impacted by Covid-19 restrictions, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting that the pandemic be handled as a pure calamity and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) be used to supply particular person advantages to the affected.
Thackeray, whereas addressing the state on Tuesday, had mentioned that for earthquake, heavy rainfall and flood, pure calamity is introduced and particular person advantages are given to the folks affected. “We all have accepted this (pandemic) as a natural calamity. So, we are requesting the PM to give individual benefits that are given in natural calamities to the people whose livelihood has been impacted by the pandemic,” he had added.
Confirming that Thackeray has written to the PM, Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte mentioned: “Though the pandemic is a calamity, it is yet to be defined as a natural calamity. So, individual benefits cannot be given as per the existing system.” He added that treating the pandemic as a pure calamity is a coverage choice to be taken on the nationwide degree and the Centre has to take a name on it.

Officials mentioned that the SDRF, which was constituted beneath the Disaster Management Act, 2005, is the first fund out there with state governments in the case of responding to notified disasters. While the Union authorities contributes 75 per cent in the direction of SDRF allocation, Maharashtra contributes the remaining 25 per cent, mentioned an official, including that SDRF has round Rs 4,200 crore.

An official mentioned that at current, SDRF is getting used for infrastructure constructing resembling establishing Covid-19 centres in addition to shopping for oxygen and medicines, amongst others. “But it can’t be used to provide individual benefits. If the Centre treats the pandemic as a natural calamity and finalises a methodology to decide on the category of affected people, then the state can give individual benefits to people.”
The official added that the affected folks, who may very well be lined beneath the National Food Security Act, could be given Rs 100 per day in the course of the interval of restrictions. “Who have been affected can be decided based on the restrictions imposed from time to time since April 5. At present, it is difficult to calculate an estimated amount required for this purpose,” mentioned the official, including that this may very well be along with the Rs 5,476-crore bundle introduced by the state.

As a part of the Rs 5,476 crore aid bundle, the state authorities will provide 3 kg of wheat and a couple of kg of rice per individual freed from value for one month beneath the free foodgrain scheme to the beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act. Shiv Bhojan Thali could be offered freed from value for one month. The goal is to supply 2 lakh thalis in a month. Also, Rs 1,500 every will probably be given to licensed hawkers, autorickshaw drivers and registered development staff, amongst others.