Reacting to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's announcement of a 15-day long statewide curfew from April 14 amid the spike in coronavirus cases in the state, senior BJP leader and former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said improving the healthcare system should be the top priority of the state government.
In a series of tweets, the BJP leader, who had earlier opposed another lockdown noting that such a decision would lead to job losses, said priority should be accorded to ensuring the availability of ventilators, Remdesivir and oxygen.
The CM had said there is a shortage of medical oxygen and beds and the demand for Remdesivir has increased in the state, and asked the Centre to help to supply oxygen for coronavirus patients using Air Force planes.
Fadnavis claimed that the chief minister did not take into consideration all factors while announcing the curfew. There has been no provision to take care of small businessmen, hairdressers and florists, he said and added that steps should be taken to ensure their wellbeing.
He further said the state government was supposed to announce concessions on electricity bills, property taxes and GST, but none of it happened. The former chief minister urged the state government to take a decision in this regard immediately.
