Maharashtra opposes plea for adopting Kerala model to fight COVID-19

Maharashtra government has informed Bombay High Court that it is scrupulously taking all measures to control spread of COVID-19, and sought dismissal of a petition which said state government should adopt 'Kerala model' to tackle pandemic.

state government, in its affidavit filed on Monday before Nagpur bench of high court, said it was implementing strategies as per guidelines of Government of India as well as recommendations made by World Health Organisation (WHO).

After first case of COVID-19 was detected in Maharashtra in March, several measures were undertaken, including screening at airports in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur, tracing of all contacts and high-risk contacts, declaring containment zones, collection of samples of high-risk contacts, setting up isolation facilities and so on, it said.

"It is submitted that situation in Maharashtra is different than that in Kerala. state of Maharashtra is scrupulously implementing guidelines of Government of India and WHO recommendations in order to control spread of COVID-19, affidavit said.

Since all efforts are being made by state government to control COVID-19 pandemic, relief sought by petitioner is uncalled for, affidavit said and sought dismissal of plea.

government submitted affidavit in response to a petition filed by Nagpur resident Subhash Zanwar, who raised several issues pertaining to COVID-19 pandemic.

petition, filed last month, ted that number of COVID-19 cases was steadily rising in state.

It sought a direction to Maharashtra government to take te of measures undertaken by Kerala government.

According to plea, when coronavirus outbreak happened in March, both Maharashtra and Kerala saw a similar rise in number of cases.

However, Kerala government has w mand to bring down its cases and flattened curve, it said.

petition sought for a committee to be formed by Maharashtra government to study Kerala model and prepare a report on measures needed to be taken by government here to tackle pandemic.

court will take up petition for hearing on Tuesday.