Unlock: Opening of parks & industries, nod to autos/taxis in 19 districts in Karnataka
Bengaluru, June 11: Opening of parks and industrial units with riders, extending the duration of shops selling essential goods and permission for autos and taxis to ply with a maximum of two passengers are among the relaxations announced by the Karnataka government in 19 districts from June 14, in its revised guidelines issued on Friday.
Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday said COVID-19 induced lockdown measures will continue in 11 districts with high positivity rate till June 21, while some relaxations will be given in the rest of the state from June 14.
The 11 districts are Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Davangere, Mysuru, Chamarajanagara, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, Bengaluru Rural, Mandya, Belagavi and Kodagu.
He also said that the COVID curfew will be imposed from 7 pm to 5 am and weekend curfew from 7 pm on Friday to 5 am on Monday, after the current lockdown ends on June 14.
According to the guidelines, all industries have been permitted to operate with 50 per cent staff strength, but garment industries, with only 30 per cent.
Shops dealing with food, groceries,fruits and vegetables, meat and fish,dairy and milk booths and animal fodder shall be allowed to function from 6 am to 2 pm, it said, adding that street vendors, Public Distribution System shops, standalone liquor shops and outlets (take away only) and optical shops will be allowed during the same period.
All construction activities/repair works,including shops/ establishments dealing with construction material, especially cement and steel outside the containment zone are permitted.
The relaxation in lockdown measures in the 19 districts will be in place from 6 AM on June 14 to 6 AM on June 21.
Seeking public cooperation by strictly following the guidelines, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the relaxation mentioned in them and weekend and night curfew is till June 21. The situation would be reviewed as the date approaches and a decision taken on whether to extend it or not.
"The relaxation is from June 14. People behaving as though it is from today and coming out unnecessarily is not right.
Self-restraint is necessary and people should cooperate with the police.
Don't give police an opportunity to use force for enforcement of control measures," he told reporters.
Parks will be open from 5 AM to 10 AM for walkers and joggers. Taxis and auto rickshaws can run with a maximum of two passengers, the guidelines said, adding that government offices of agriculture and allied, PWD, Housing, RTOs, Cooperation, NABARD and Revenue departments and Government of India offices can function with 50 per cent staff.
While during the night and weekend curfew, movement of individuals shall remain strictly prohibited, except for essential activities, patients and their attendants/persons requiring emergency need for movement shall be allowed.
All industries/companies which require operations at night shall be permitted to operate and movement of employees of such organisations shall be allowed on producing valid ID card/authorisation issued by their respective organisation, it said, adding only essential employees of IT and ITeS companies shall work from office and the others, from home.
There would be no restriction on movement of all types of goods through trucks, goods vehicles or any goods carriers, including empty vehicles. Also, home delivery of goods and operations of E-Commerce companies has been permitted.
Movement of public transport, private vehicles and taxis to and from airports,railway stations and bus terminals,stops, stands are allowed for facilitating movement of passengers by air, rail and road, but only on display of valid travel documents or tickets.
Further, during the weekend curfew, eligible people intending to take vaccination shall be allowed to travel with minimal proof.
Also, shops dealing with essential goods, street vendors, PDS, standalone liquor shops for take away will be allowed from 6 AM to 2 PM.
Home delivery of all items shall be encouraged 24x7 and restaurant and eateries shall be allowed only for take away and home delivery during the weekend curfew, it said, adding that marriages already scheduled are permitted with only 40 people, while cremations or funerals to be allowed with five people.
To view the revised guidlines: CLICK HERE
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Rajnath Singh chairs IGoM meet, urges constant vigil over West Asia crisis
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday emphasised the need for round-the-clock monitoring of the West Asia conflict and called for a calibrated response to deal with any eventuality to ensure that national interests remain protected.
Singh made the comments while chairing a high-level meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) set-up to monitor the situation in West Asia.
The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister J P Nadda, Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In view of the "uncertain situation", the defence minister underlined the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner to deal with any eventuality, an official readout said.
He stressed on the need to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of the country face the minimum effect of the conflict, it said.
It was the second meeting of the IGoM after it was set up last month.
The IGoM was apprised of the measures being taken by the government in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict, Singh said on social media.
"We also deliberated upon the next steps to be taken by the government to mitigate any adverse impact arising due to the ongoing conflict," he said.
The defence ministry said in the readout said, "In the meeting, the seven empowered groups of secretaries briefed the IGoM on the steps being taken to tackle the situation."
"The IGoM was apprised about measures undertaken by the Ministry of Finance to address concerns arising due to global trade disruptions and provide relief and support to the industry, especially manufacturing, and bolster investor confidence," it said.
It listed measures including notification issued on Wednesday on full customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products till June 30.
The ministry also mentioned announcement of a special one-time relief measure for eligible units in SEZs to sell manufactured goods in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty rates to be effective from April 1 to March 31.
It also noted another notification issued by the Department of Revenue clarifying that the provisions of GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules) will not be invoked in respect of investments made prior to April 1, 2017.
"These measures will reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors including textiles, packaging and pharmaceuticals, facilitate supply stability in the country and provide requisite clarity for investors contemplating investments in India," the readout said.
Defence Minister Singh appreciated the government's decision to impose a 25 per cent cap on the monthly increase in aviation turbine fuel prices for domestic operations, with effect from April 1.
This step will help protect the people from sudden increase in fares, he said.
The government has accorded highest priority to domestic LPG supply, with refinery production enhanced to fully meet consumption requirements, according to the readout.
"The IGoM was informed that there have been no reports of dry-out at LPG distributorships, and delivery of domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders continues as per the normal schedule. The temporary supply concerns arose due to instances of hoarding and black marketing, which triggered panic buying in certain areas," it said.
The ministers were informed that strict enforcement action is being undertaken, with raids being carried out across multiple states and Union territories to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG, the ministry said in the readout.
Action has also been taken against some LPG distributors who engaged in malpractices, it said.
"To support migrant labour and low-consumption households, the government is ensuring adequate availability of 5 kg free trade LPG cylinders, and since March 23, over 4.3 lakh such cylinders have been sold. Special focus is being given to states where demand is higher," it said.
The IGoM was apprised that industrial requirements dependent on commercial LPG are being met, with over 80 per cent of pre-crisis supply levels being maintained to ensure continuity of operations.
"Special meetings have been held with ministries and stakeholders of different industries to understand their demand and meet their needs. Oil PSUs are ensuring continued supply of Auto LPG across the country," the readout noted.
"However, some supply constraints are being faced by private operators due to their procurement challenges, which is why lines are being observed at PSU auto LPG pumps. Wherever the autos are dual feed and can use petrol, they are being encouraged to use petrol," it said.
