New Delhi, Apr 5 (IANS): The Congress has demanded increase in the state disaster risk management fund (SDRMF) for states that have registered maximum number of Covid-19 cases.

"The Centre must consider number of Covid-19 cases & hotspots to decide allocation of State Disaster Risk Management Fund to states," senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel tweeted.

Under the current scheme, states like Delhi, Kerala and Punjab that had large number of Covid-19 cases were receiving little funds from SDRMF. "I request Home Minister Amit Shah to include Covid-19 as a criterion apart from the Finance Commission criteria for disbursement of funds to states," he said.

The Union Health Ministry on Sunday said 77 deaths were reported due to coronavirus, and total number of cases had risen to 3,374.

The number of Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra increased by 26, taking the total from 635 to 661. At least two persons are suspected to have died due to Covid-19 in Pune and Thane on Sunday, but the health authorities declined to confirm or share details.

Till Saturday, Maharashtra had recorded 32 covid-19 deaths, with maximum 22 deaths in Mumbai.

The Congress Working Committee on Thursday reviewed the coronavirus pandemic and demanded a "common minimum relief package".