With nearly 6 lakh 84 thousand total active cases and more than 62 thousand cases registered in the last 24 hours, Maharashtra still continues to be the hotbed for Covid 19 in the country. In the wake of the alarming spread of the disease, the state government is contemplating a series of measures including implementing stricter lockdown, purchasing vaccines from other countries, setting up oxygen plants in districts among others to tackle the situation. It has also issued strict guidelines pertaining to Ram Navami celebrations today.

Meanwhile, the govt. has already decided to cancel and postpone the 10th board exams and class 12 exams respectively. Our correspondent reports that the Maharashtra government has intensified its fight against the Corona pandemic on a war footing. The state, which has been under a lockdown like situation since the 15th of this month, will be subjected to stricter lockdown norms from today.

Speaking after a state cabinet meeting yesterday, Health Minister Rajesh Tope said strict lockdown will be imposed in the state most likely from tonight which will be announced by Chief Minister later today. He said the state cabinet has decided for intensify vaccination for the people of the state and added that if needed the state will take permission from the Centre to purchase vaccines from other countries.

Regarding the shortage of supply of Remdesvir medicine, Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Minister Rajendra Shingane said that supply of the medicines likely to get streamlined from today as 6- 7 companies which have been producing the medicines from 3-4 weeks have promised to step up the supply in the state immediately. In order to address the shortage of medical oxygen, Shingane said the district administrations have been directed to set up Oxygen concentration plants in each district.

Regarding Ram Navami celebrations, the state in a press release has forbidden people from visiting temples and has urged the temple management to arrange darshan facility online. In an unprecedented move, the state has cancelled the 10 board exams and postponed the class 12 exams.

State Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad said in a tweet the state government has now decided to cancel the state board exams for class 10. The minister added that the criteria on which results will be declared for class 10th & date of result declaration will be announced soon. She said as far as the state board exams of class 12th are concerned, the state government has already conveyed its decision to postpone these exams till May end.