Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala on Sunday said that the nationwide lockdown implemented due to Covid-19 will have to be lifted gradually in a phased manner.
“At present, no State is in favour of complete lifting of lockdown. As far as opening of liquor shops is concerned, these will remain completely closed till May 3,” he said.
“In this hour of crisis, the State Governments should not only think about revenue but also co-operate with the Central Government in solidarity to curb Covid-19 pandemic,” Dushyant said in a statement issued here.
Dushyant said that Haryana has done better arrangements as compared to the other states to deal with pandemic due to which the recovery rate of Covid-19 patients in the State is better than the national average.
In compliance with the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, an initiative has been taken to bring industrial and economic activities in the state to normalcy in a phased manner and to revive them online applications have been invited from industries, he said.
He further said that committees have been formed at the block, district and state levels to allow the industries to operate according to the number of manpower.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that everything cannot be done everywhere at the same time. So the things have to be re-opened gradually according to the situations.
To prevent damage to economy, it has been decided to open the sale and production of everyday essential commodities first, he said.
Dushyant further said that the ‘Distress Ration Tokens’ have also been issued to needy families during the lockdown so that such families will be able to get free ration from the ration shops.
The farmers of Haryana are hardworking. No one will stay hungry in the State and this is the commitment of the State Government as well as that of farmers. The procurement process of mustard and wheat is running smoothly during the lockdown period and the farmer is selling his produce in mandis while following the norms of social distancing and lockdown, he added.
Dushyant also made it clear that in whichever procurement centre the farmer would like to sell his produce, the arhtiya would have to make procurement in the same procurement centre. An arhtiya can procure crops in three to four procurement centres provided the farmer is ready to sell his produce in those centres.
The arrangements have been made for timely payment to both the farmers and arhtiyas. As soon as the produce procured from the mandis would be lifted, payments would be made to the farmer and the arthiya, he said.
About Rs 22,000 crore have been kept in reserve by the State Government for the purchase of wheat and about Rs 275 crore for the commission of arhtiyas, he added.
Dushyant also appealed to the farmers to bring their produce turn wise to the mandis for procurement and also follow social distancing norms.