The Bombay High Court today directed the Maharashtra government to file an affidavit about the benefits extended to the kin of frontline health and administrative workers, who get infected or succumb to COVID- 19 in the line of duty.<br />''<span style="font-weight: bold;"> <br />''</span>Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni, who appeared for the state, told the court that the Maharashtra government had already issued a resolution stating that the kin of doctors or policemen, who die of COVID-19, would be given Rs 50 lakh. The Advocate General also informed the court that the state had also extended the benefit of the Centre's Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, an insurance scheme, to several frontline workers.<br />'' <br />''A bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Sarang Kotwal who was hearing a PIL, however, noted that the said GR did not clarify the benefits that will be granted to doctors and nurses specifically and directed the state to file an affidavit clarifying the same by August 4. The Bombay High Court today also directed the Maharashtra government to take a decision on the representation made by city-based lawyers seeking that legal services be recognised as essential services and that they be permitted to use local trains to commute to courts during lockdown.<br />'' <br />''The bench hearing the matter asked the state government to inform the court of its decision by August 6. Meanwhile, in another development, public gatherings have been banned in Bhiwandi city and Paghar district of Maharashtra during Bakrid celebrations tomorrow in the light of covid 19 pandemic. Dr. Pankaj Ashiya, Municipal Commissioner of the Bhiwandi Nizampur Municipal Corporation has also appealed to the citizens to conduct the 'qurbani' ritual in a symbolic manner during the celebrations tomorrow.<br />