COVID-19 crisis: Maharashtra govt set to cap prices of sanitizers and masks

In a big development, Maharashtra government is set to cap prices of sanitizers and masks amid rising number of COVID-19 cases in state. An official tification in this regard shall be issued soon. state Health Minister Rajesh Tope, who is in talks with Food and Drug Administration Department has intimated about this to Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. According to Tope, sanitizers and masks should t be priced at exorbitant rates. Earlier, state government capped prices for COVID-19 treatment in private hospitals and ambulances to carry vel coronavirus patients. 

COVID-19 situation in Maharashtra

Maharashtra's COVID-19 tally soared to 2,06,619 after 6,555 persons tested positive for vel coronavirus on Sunday, July 5. re are 86,040 active cases in state. With 3658 patients being discharged in day, total number of recovered rose to 1,11,740. 151 deaths have been reported on July 5, propelling state's fatality toll to 8,822. 

Currently, state's COVID-19 positivity rate, recovery rate, and fatality rate stands at 18.57%, 54.08%, and 4.27% respectively. So far, a total of 11,12,442 samples have been tested for vel coronavirus. While 6,04,463 persons are in home quarantine, 46,062 ors have been admitted to institutional quarantine centres. 

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Jobs portal launched

Earlier in day, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray launched Mahajobs portal (mahajobs.maharashtra.gov.in) aimed at making local manpower and employment opportunities available. This assumes significance in wake of lakhs of workers migrating to ir hometowns in various parts of India due to COVID-induced lockdown. At present, demand for skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers has increased in industry sector. new portal shall t only help provide jobs to local unemployed but also ensure that industries do t face short of workers. While more than 65,000 industries have already resumed functioning in Maharashtra, state government has also recently signed MoUs worth Rs.17,000 crore with many companies in India and abroad. 

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