To energise the plantation sector and rural economy, Union Home Ministry on Friday exempted activities in plantation, forest produce collection works besides rural cooperatives and non-banking finance companies from lockdown restriction guidelines.
Works related the lively hood of forest dwellers and SC/ST communities, coconut, areca nut, spices and its packaging, marketing and sale are now allowed as per this circular issued by Home Ministry to States. Construction activities in the rural sector also allowed.
“Collection, harvesting and processing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP)/ Non-timber Forest Produce (NTFP) by Scheduled Tribes and other forest dwellers in forest areas. Bamboo, coconut, areca nut, cocoa, spices plantations and their harvesting, processing, packaging, sale and marketing,” said the circular allowing exemptions from lockdown restrictions.
The circular said that there should be minimal staff and social distancing norms must be adhered in rural banking sector and co-operative societies working. “Non-banking financial institutions (NBFCs) including Housing Finance Companies (HFCs) and Micro Finance Companies (NBFC-MFIs), with bare minimum staff. Construction activities in rural areas to include water supply and sanitation, laying/erection of power transmission lines and laying of telecom optical fiber and cable along with related activities,” said the circular.