The Centre has allowed shops of agricultural machinery and its spare parts to remain open during the nationwide lockdown. Repair shops for trucks on highways have also been included in that list. The Union Home Ministry issued the 4th Addendum to the guidelines issued regarding lockdown, to exempt shops of agricultural machinery and its spare parts.
"Shops of Agricultural machinery, its spare parts (including it supply chain) and repairs to remain open. Tea industry, including plantations, with a maximum of 50 per cent workers were also exempted, in an order by the MHA.
The fourth addendum issued by union home secretary Ajay Bhalla exempted shops for truck repairs on highways, preferably at fuel pumps as well as the tea industry, including plantations with maximum 50 per cent workers.
The MHA said that social distancing and proper hygiene practices must be ensured in each of these activities.
The decision seems to have been taken in view of the urgent need for trucks to ply normally, given they carry most of the essentials including vegetables and grains. India is amid a nationwide shutdown for 21 days where all services are suspended save few essentials.
This extreme decision was necessitated in wake of the outbreak of Covid-19 in India.