Covid-19 Outbreak: Migrants Gone, Maharashtra CM Urges Locals To Step Forward Amid Manpower Crisis

Workers from other states have returned to their native places posing a new challenge of 'shortage of manpower' in Maharashtra.

Thackeray said that in such a crisis, people from all walks of life will have to come and support the state. (File Photo/ Getty)

Mumbai: All major and small industries, factories in Maharashtra have remained suspended for almost two months now due to the nationwide lockdown. Though healthcare of it's people remains the top priority, State Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray under directives of Central government, has decided to lift some restrictions in the state and resume certain economic activities to revive the economy. While releasing the guidelines regarding fourth phase of Lockdown in Maharashtra, Chief Minister said that "We are trying to start almost everything in the Green Zone while considerable relaxations have been given in the Orange Zone to start economic activities. Keeping the green zone safe and turning the red zone into a green zone is our priority. No industry is being allowed to open in the Red Zone." Elaborating the details on industries being resumes now, CM informed that "till date we have allowed 50 thousand industries-factories to start, in which five lakh labourers are working. However, workers from other states have returned to their native places posing a new challenge of 'shortage of manpower' in Maharashtra." Uddhav Thackeray said that in such a crisis, people from all walks of life will have to come and support the state. "Workers from other states have gone back resulting in shortage of manpower. In order to make the state Atmanirbhar (Self Reliant), I appeal to the people of Maharashtra - the bhoomiputra, especially those in the green zones to step out and join these industries if they are short on manpower. Maharashtra can set an example." While addressing the media earlier in the day, he said that the state has put continuous efforts to facilitate labourers. "We were arranging food for about five and a half million people. Yet they demand to go back to their respective states. We recognize their plight and so, we have made all the possible arrangements to send them to their homes. So far, we have sent about 5 lakh people by bus and train without any problems." With this, CM Thackeray reiterated several challenges that the state is facing due to Corona. He urged the citizens to be self-disciplined, more responsible and much cautioned while steeping out of homes.