The Orissa High Court has directed the State Government to bring out a composite planning on availability of essential commodities locally so that people during the lockdown period can walk the distance to procure the commodities.
“Until such mechanism is in place during which medicines, vegetables and grocery items are available within walking distance for all…; there should not be complete ban of movement of two-wheelers in the State,” the HC said.
The HC order further said the relaxation of use of two-wheelers be made subject to satisfactory explanation by such riders. “This (order) may not be construed as complete lifting of ban,” said a Bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Kumari Sanju Panda.
“As it is for complete lockdown situation, people of the State are also in serious misery and complete ban of movement of two-wheelers in absence of system of making availability of essential commodities at walking distance will add further to the miseries.”
The HC also directed the Government to release the vehicles seized by the police after obtaining undertakings from the owners that he or she should not use the vehicle during the lockdown period. “Such vehicles shall be released at least thrice (with undertakings) without imposing fines,” the court said.