分类： bharat

As the second wave of Covid-19 recedes, the Maharashtra government is preparing to ease the state-wide lockdown in a phased manner owing to the decline in Covid cases and positivity rate in the state.

Health minister Rajesh Tope indicated the same, saying, “Let’s review the preparations. If all matters are positive, then only the chief minister and deputy chief minister, in consultation with the experts of the task force, can decide on the relaxation of the restrictions to some extent. Don’t be under the illusion that restrictions will be completely removed.”

It is learnt that planning to gradually lift the lockdown has begun and will be done by June 30. There is no clarity at this time as to when the easing will begin. Due to fears of a third wave in the state, restrictions will not be completely lifted, but there is scope to provide some relaxation.

The SKM, a union of 40 farmers’ outfits, had issued a call for ‘black day’ to mark six months of the ongoing agitation against the Centre’s three farm laws.

“We extend our support to the call given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) to observe a countrywide protest day on May 26 marking the completion of six months of the heroic peaceful Kisan struggle,” said the joint statement by opposition parties.

Signatories of joint statement

The joint statement signed by Congress acting president Sonia Gandhi, former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee (TMC), Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena), Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin (DMK) and Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren (JMM).

Other signatories include former Jammu and Kashmir CM Farooq Abdullah (NC), former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav (SP), Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD, D Raja of CPI and Sitaram Yechury of the CPI-M.

‘Repeal of farm laws, legal guarantee of MSP’

The joint statement demands the repeal of the three new farm laws. Citing a letter written by opposition leaders to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 12, the statement says the Centre must repeal farm laws to “protect lakhs of our annadatas becoming victims of the pandemic”.

In addition to the immediate repeal of the farm laws, the opposition leaders also demanded legal guarantees for MSP (minimum support price) of C2+50 per cent as recommended by the Swaminathan Commission.

“The Central Government must stop being obdurate and immediately resume talks with the SKM on these lines,” said the joint statement issued on Sunday.