<span style="color: #222222;">In Maharashtra, even as the cases of COVID-19 continue to rise, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray today said the decision on relaxation of restrictions in the state will be taken after a review of the situation once the national lockdown ends on May 3. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">AT present, 7,628 patients have been affected with COVID-19 in the state, with 323 fatalities. Meanwhile, out of the 53 journalists who are undergoing treatment for novel Coronavirus, 31 scribes were discharged today after their second medical test came negative for COVID-19.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">AIR Correspondent reports, Maharashtra Chief MInister Uddhav Thackeray today said the lockdown has helped in decreasing the pace of multiplication of COVID-19 cases in the state. He said the decision on relaxation of restrictions in the state will be taken after a review of the situation once the national lockdown ends on May 3. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">CM Thackeray told that the decision largely depends upon the situation in Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur and Aurangabad and if the state has to relax its current stringent lockdown measures, it would be in rural and least affected areas of the state. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Meanwhile, in a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, NCP president and former Union Minister Sharad Pawar said the Government of Maharashtra requests additional grants of United nature to the tune of Rs One lakh crores for the financial year 2020 -21. Pawar's NCP is an alliance partner in the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government in the state. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He further said the state makes repayment of Rs 10,500 Crores every year on account of the NSSF loan given by Government of India. It is requested to extend two year moratorium on loan repayment, he said, adding it will help in bridging the likely budgetary gap.</span><br />