Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray wants Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare the COVID-19 pandemic a natural calamity, in order to provide relief to citizens whose livelihood has been seriously affected due to the lockdown. Thackeray has written two separate letters to Modi with regard to expanding relief with the Centre’s help, and making oxygen and Remdesivir injections available immediately. 

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the state, a mini-lockdown is a necessity. The pandemic may be notified as a natural calamity for the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Accordingly, the state may be allowed to pay Gratuitous Relief (GR) of Rs 100 per adult per day and R60 per child per day during the period of lockdown to all the Antodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Household (PHH) family members whose names are included in the AAY and PHH ration cards,” Thackeray said, adding the said expenditure may be allowed from the SDRF during the current financial year. The CM said since the state faced financial crunch, the first instalment of central share of SDRF should be released.