Officials fear a large congregation in Nagpur could lead to spread of the coronavirus
The Winter Session of the state legislature is likely to be held in Mumbai instead of Nagpur, as officials fear a congregation of nearly 30,000 people – bureaucrats, ministers, MLAs, MLCs, staff and security – in the Orange City can lead to spread of the coronavirus.
Rajendra Bhagwat, the secretary to the legislature, said a call will be taken by the Business Advisory Committee, which will soon meet. Bhagwat was in Nagpur to ascertain whether the session could be held in the city. The meeting was also attended by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation Commissioner B Radhakrishnan and the Additional Commissioner of Nagpur police, M Reddy.
A senior officer of the legislature said that 1,200 employees of the legislature have to reach Nagpur three days before the session starts and leave four days after the session. These include security personnel. Besides, all IAS officers working in mantralaya, joint secretaries, deputy secretaries, under secretaries, section officers and others have to be there. Each minister moves to Nagpur with his/her office and staff.
MLAs and MLCs also attend the session. The presence of so many people at one place could present concerns, officials said.
The Monsoon Session was postponed four times and was held on September 7 and 8. The legislature secretariat had to restrict the number of people entering the Vidhan Sabha and all those seeking entry had to undergo an RT PCR test.
Source: https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/civic/winter-session-of-legislaure-likely-in-mumbai/articleshow/79092067.cms
