Announcing certain relaxations in the lockdown in some parts of the State, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said here on Saturday that after April 20, his Government –even while adhering to th basic terms and conditions laid down in the guidelines —would permit such industrial and business activities that would kick-start the grounded economy in the State.
“While adhering to the terms and conditions mandated in the lockdown guidelines and taking adequate care, we would like to kick-start industrial and business activities in some areas of the State so that we can set the wheels of grounded economy into motion,” the chief minister said.
The Chief Minister came out with an announcement to this effect a day after the Maharashtra Government released Consolidated Revised guidelines for the extended lockdown period, the Chief Minister said that in areas excluding the containment zones.
“To mitigate hardship to the public, select additional activities have been allowed which will come into effect from April 20. These limited exemptions will be operationalised by district administrations based on strict compliance to the exiting guidelines” the revised guidelines stated.
“Also while allowing these select activities, district administrations shall also ensure all preparatory arrangements with regard to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all social distancing in offices, workplaces, factories and establishments, as also other sectoral requirements are in place,” the revised guidelines said.
Among the activities that have been permitted under the consolidated revised guidelines from April 20 will include: all health services – including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, telemedicine facilities, dispensaries, clinics, pharmacies and all kinds of shops, agricultural related activities, MNREGA works, public utilities, movement, loading/unloading of cargo (inter-intra state) an supply of essential goods.
As far as the industries/ industrial establishments — both government and private — is concerned on which it is laying emphasis, the state government will permit activities in industries operating in rural areas – outside the municipal corporation and municipalities, manufacturing and other industrial establishments with access control in SEZs and Export Oriented Units (EOUs and industrial estates and industrial townships.
Manufacturing units of essential goods, including drugs, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, their raw materials, agricultural and horticultural produce, manufacturing of IT hardwares, manufacturing of package material, making of brick kilns, construction of roads, irrigation projects, buildings and all kinds of industrial projects including MSMEs in rural areas and construction of renewable energy projects would be permitted
In a related development, the chief minister said: “As per the extended lockdown announced by the Centre till May 3, we will have to strictly abide by the guidelines. There would not be any relaxations in the norms like social distancing, maintaining cleanliness and compulsion on wearing masks,” he said
“The State Government will not allow crowds for any reason. No permission will be given for religious functions, all kinds of meetings, conferences and games and gathering of people at places of worship,” Uddhav said.
The Chief Minister, however, said that essential services and supply of essential commodities would continue uninterrupted.