sb.scorecardresearch
Advertisement

Published 20:44 IST, April 20th 2020

Mamata Banerjee won't allow Centre's inter-ministerial team for COVID ‘hotspots' in Bengal

Opposing the Centre's intervention in West Bengal's Coronavirus (COVID-19) battle, CM Mamata Banerjee, on Monday, has not permitted Centre's inter-minister team

Follow: Google News Icon
  • share
Mamata Banerjee
null | Image: self
Advertisement

Opposing the Centre's intervention in West Bengal's Coronavirus (COVID-19) battle, CM Mamata Banerjee, on Monday, has not permitted the Centre's inter-ministerial central (IMC) team deployed to several districts in India to function in West Bengal. She claimed that till PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah share the criterion for such an intervention, she will not comply as this goes again federalism. West Bengal has reported 339 COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths.

BJP slams Bengal govt's COVID-19 audit committee & advisory panel; Doctors' body protests

Mamata Banerjee opposes IMC team intervention

MHA writes 3rd letter to West Bengal Chief Secretary regarding Covid lockdown violation

MHA sets up IMC team

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has set up six inter-ministerial central teams to assess lockdown violations and implementations in West Bengal, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. “Situation especially serious in Indore (MP); Mumbai & Pune (Maharashtra); Jaipur (Rajasthan); and Kolkata, Howrah, Medinipur East, 24 Parganas North, Darjeeling, Kalimpong & Jalpaiguri (West Bengal),” the home ministry spokesperson said. The team will on-spot assessment of the situation, issue necessary directions and submit their report to Central Government.

'Yamraj' requests people to stay home in Bengal's Uttar Dinajpur amid Covid lockdown

Bengal and lockdown violations

The state has seen several lockdown violations for past two weeks - notably in Murshidabad and Hooghly were several people gathered at a mosque to offer Friday prayers. Though police had dispersed the crowd immediately, CM Mamata Banerjee has taken cognizance of the repeated violations in that district and has directed the Murshidabad DIG to stop such gatherings. The MHA too has written to Banerjee highlighting that the lockdown guidelines were being violated in several parts of the state, stating that the West Bengal government had allowed more exemptions leading to a gradual dilution of the lockdown.

Coronavirus Live Updates: Cases at 17265; states deny easing of lockdown till May 3

16:32 IST, April 20th 2020