Pune, July 3 (PTI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday directed the Pune district and city administrations to appoint an IAS officer as "Testing In- charge".

Pawar held a meeting and reviewed the coronavirus situation in the district where the case count is nearing 25,000, an official release said.

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Expressing concern over the increase in COVID-19 cases in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, Pawar directed the administration to appoint an IAS-rank officer as a "Testing In-charge", it said.

He also asked the officials to implement strict measures to prevent the spread of the virus in containment zones and take action against those who are not wearing masks in public places.

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Pawar, who is the guardian minister of the district, also said that there are complaints that doctors at some hospitals do not visit COVID-19 wards, and action should be taken in such cases.

After the relaxation of lockdown, the movement of people between urban and rural areas increased, which contributed to the spike in cases, the NCP leader observed, adding that the police should screen such people.

Factory owners in the industrial belt should provide accommodation to the workers, he said.

Chief Minister's principal adviser Ajoy Mehta, who was also present at the meeting, said officials should take help of local community leaders in rural parts to control the spread of the virus, and testing should be ramped up.

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