Soon, Ranchiites will have to use an M-pass –downloadable from a Government-run mobile App– in order to prove that they are out of their home for buying essential products during the lockdown, a press communique from the district administration said on Saturday. Not only this, even the delivery boys will have to get these passes in order to deliver grocery or other items to the doorsteps of city residents, it added.
In order to get this pass, a person has to download the Jharkhand Bazar App on his or her smart phone and register. The App will have all the local grocery, vegetable, fruits and other shops selling essential items enlisted across the district. After registration, the App will show all the nearby shops as per the location set on the mobile phone, and one may place orders accordingly. Once an order is placed, the user will be provided an M-pass for moving out – valid for only two hours, the press communique further said.
The M-pass, which will be visible on the mobile phone of the user, will change colours during the validity period. For the first hour of usage, the pass will be green. It will turn saffron after one hour and eventually red after two hours. Red colour means that the pass is not valid anymore, officials from the district administration said. "Misuse of this App, in any form, will be a punishable offence. The app has been launched for the convenience of people and to keep them safe," said Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Rai Mahimapat Ray.
The Jharkhand Bazar App is available for download on Google Play Store and the official website of the Government of Jharkhand. Local ration dealers registered in the App are allowed to get M-pass only for two delivery boys, officials said.
These passes will be valid from 6am to 10pm every day, and will have to be renewed. However, other intricacies regarding the process have not been disclosed yet.
The M-pass, however, will not be valid in containment zones, officials said. It will also be valid only within the periphery of a particular location. With nearly 40 cases, Ranchi is the worst Coronavirus-affected city in Jharkhand. Hindpiri locality here, which alone has more than 35 cases of COVID-19, is a containment zone, and nobody other than Government officials on duty is allowed to enter the locality. Locals here, however, are being delivered ration, milk and even ATMs to their doorsteps, officials said.
Meanwhile, a press release from the district administration on Saturday said that a decision regarding the lockdown relaxation will be taken soon in accordance with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Fresh guidelines will be issued regarding the partial relaxation from the lockdown, officials said.