Aurangabad:
Describing as ''alarming'' therise in fresh COVID-19 cases in some districts of Maharashtra,Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday warned of takingsome ''harsh decisions'' and asked people to be prepared.
Some districts in Vidarbha region in east Maharashtra,especially Amravati and Nagpur, and Nashik in northMaharashtra have seen the number of new cases rising over thelast few days.
Speaking to reporters, Pawar expressed displeasureover people not following the pandemic-appropriate behaviourand violating guidelines.
Pawar, who also holds Finance ministry, was inAurangabad to chair a review meeting of eight districts underthe Marathwada region.
''I have come across ((reports that) people are not following the COVID-19 guidelines which are aimed at checking the spread of the infection. If the situation worsens, we mayneed to pay heavy cost for this carelessness. The number (of new cases in the state) is alarming. We have seen thatlockdown was imposed in many parts of the world again in viewof the second wave of the pandemic,'' he said.
Pawar said the matter will be discussed with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai tonight.
''Harsh decisions can be taken and the people shouldremain prepared. If certain decisions are not taken in timethen we will have to pay a heavy cost later,'' he added.
Maharashtra on Sunday recorded 4,092 new coronaviruscases, taking the infection tally to 20,64,278, while 40deaths pushed the toll to 51,529, as per the state government.
While 19,75,603 people have recovered so far in thestate, there are 35,965 active cases as on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Pawar criticised the opposition partieswhich have demanded that no restrictions be imposed oncelebrating the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on February 19.
''The government has allowed gathering of 100 peoplefor Shiv Jayanti celebrations, but the Opposition says that restrictions are being imposed by the state government. In the time of pandemic, it is important to save lives of the people.
Last year, people celebrated festivals at their homes,'' hesaid.
The senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaderalso proposed that political parties frame certain guidelineson holding political events.
''People's gatherings are taking place. Many politicalparties too started organising programmes as the pandemicgraph has gone down in Maharashtra. Key political partiesshould sit together and prepare guidelines. People will notaccept that political programmes are being held without anyrestrictions but celebration of festivals is beingrestricted,'' he said.
Pawar said bills to the tune of Rs 5,000 crore are pending with consumers of electricity pumps in Marathwadaregion.
''Farmers should pay the pending bills so that this fund can be utilised for improving infrastructure in every district. The funds allocated last year for district planningcommittees in the eight district of Marathwada was Rs 1,865crore. We will raise it to Rs 2,100 crore this year,'' Pawaradded.