Partial resumption of industrial, agri activities; Essential govt offices to reopen on 15th

 

ES Newsdesk

ITANAGAR, Apr 13: In a major decision, the state cabinet meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday has decided to extend the lockdown period to combat Coronavirus in Arunachal Pradesh till April 30.
Along with the extension, the meeting decided that while all the restrictions and exemptions that were allowed during lockdown would be continued, a few more exemptions will also be allowed which will remain effective till April 30. It was agreed upon that all government offices in the districts would commence their working from April 15 and state level offices such as Directorates, Heads of Offices and Secretariat would also start their operations from April 15 except for some non-essential offices. All officers/officials would attend these offices and only 50 per cent of the MTS would be asked to attend on a rotational basis. Also, government employees have been encouraged to use public transport during this period and passes will be issued for some important government vehicles. 
For resumption of agriculture, horticulture and activities related to tea gardens, Deputy Commissioners and concerned Directors have been entrusted to ensure all agriculture, horticulture and MGNREGA related works are resumed keeping in mind the arrival of the sowing and harvesting season. Compliance to protocols laid down by the Health department is to be ensured and    no new worker will be allowed from outside the state or from other districts and they will have to strictly comply with the social distancing norms, cleanliness, personal hygiene and stick to mandatory usage of face masks. DCs shall regulate labour movements within the districts and keep track of the prevailing situation.
The meeting came to a decision that industries would be allowed to commence their activities only on case-to-case basis and such establishments have to strictly comply with all existing Covid-19 preventive norms. In this regard, prior permission from the respective DCs will be needed, furnishing all details including labour strength, raw material requirement particularly if it is required to be transported to or from Assam or any other place in Arunachal. Inter-district/Inter-state movement of labour  has been strictly prohibited.
Regarding construction/infrastructure related works, the meeting took the decision that if workers are already available, works can be allowed to resume and no new worker will be allowed from outside the state or from other districts. In this case, prior permission of the DCs just like the industries will be necessary.     
While dealing with transport, the cabinet has felt that private vehicles should not be allowed to ply till April 30 and all inter-district movements will also remain suspended. 
Only fixed-scheduled state transport buses will be allowed for intra-district movements and all social distancing norms, wearing  mask etc have been made compulsory in all public transport. Use of hand sanitizers will also be a must for entry in public transport and all state transport buses shall function with 50% occupancy. Disinfection and cleaning of these buses will be done twice a day.
Meanwhile, state’s students and other citizens currently stranded at various locations in the country have been advised not to travel back to Arunachal Pradesh till April 30 and senior officers as nodal officer for each state have been appointed to support them. The meeting also decided to release Rs.53 Cr as post-matric scholarship to 20500 students and Arunachal Pradesh Stipend Scheme for 18094 students will also come into effect immediately. 
Reviewing the current Arunachal-Assam  border vigil, it was decided that along with the existing twenty-eight police checkposts, several temporary checkposts will also be started at vulnerable areas to prevent any unauthorized entry into the state.
It was further decided that all existing Covid-19 containment measures in tune with the relevant GoI guidelines will be continued in the extended period and to keep the situation under control, stress will be laid on active vigil, checking, testing and controls along with improving the capacity and preparedness of the state’s healthcare system.   
The cabinet has acknowledged the support received from the state’s people comprising various sections of society such as shopkeepers, traders, students, media personnel, NGOs, CBOs, GBs, public leaders etc. for successful enforcement of the 21-day lockdown. It also expressed satisfaction on the overall handling of the situation by the administration and appreciated the efforts of all officials engaged in the fightback.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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