72 More Test Positive For COVID-19 In Maharashtra, Total Number Of Cases In State Rises To 302

Around 72 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Maharashtra on Tuesday with 59 of them detected in Mumbai alone. With this, the total number of coronavirus positive cases in the state has risen to 302, a health official said. This is the largest increase in the number of cases within a day probably in the country, the state official added.

Besides Mumbai, two cases each came to light in Thane, Pune Vasai, Virar, and Kalyan-Dombivali cities. Three cases were reported from Ahmednagar.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra – the worst-hit state in the country with the highest number of novel coronavirus cases – has announced up to 60 per cent cut in salaries of ministers, other elected representatives as well as government officials in view of the economic impact of coronavirus lockdown.

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A Government Resolution (GR) issued subsequently said that remaining salary would be paid at a later point.

Elected representatives including the chief minister, ministers and MLAs will get their salaries for March with 60 percent deduction, finance minister Ajit Pawar announced.

A and B grade government employees will get their salaries with 50 percent deduction while C grade employees will get salaries with 25 percent cut. There will be no cut in the salaries of D grade employees.

Pawar, who is also deputy chief minister, said the decision was taken after consultation with chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and employee unions.

“The state’s economy has been affected by the coronavirus crisis and reduction in resources due to ongoing lockdown,” Pawar said.

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A Government Resolution (GR) issued by the finance departmentsaid the salary for March, which is disbursed in April, will be paid in “two installments” and the balance will be paid later. The balance amountwill be paid later when the situation improves, a government official said when asked for clarification.