Mumbai, Mar 16 : Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday appealed to the people to take the Covid pandemic seriously, saying that efforts should be collectively made to prevent the fourth wave. The pace of vaccination should be increased further in the state, he said while replying to the debate on annual budget for 2022-23 in the state Assembly. Pawar denied Opposition’s allegations over the state government’s handling of the pandemic and claimed that Maharashtra, especially the Dharavi model, has been hailed across the globe for effectively combating the virus. AAA SS 2058