In a major relief, the Central Government has allowed transportation of all goods, without distinction of essential and non-essential during the nationwide coronavirus lockdown period.
According to the letter by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla to States and Union Territories, the delivery of newspapers, supply chain of milk collection and distribution, supply of groceries including hygiene products are to be allowed.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an addendum to the guidelines, and subsequent addendum to all Ministries/Departments regarding the nationwide lockdown to fight coronavirus.
This addendum lays down additional categories of essential goods and services exempted under the Disaster Management Act, with respect to the 21- day lockdown.
“The entire supply chain of milk collection and distribution, including its packaging material, is allowed. Newspaper delivery supply chain is also allowed under print media,” Bhalla said in the letter.
The letter further said, “Groceries including hygiene products such as hand washes, soaps, disinfectants, body wash, shampoos, surface cleaners, detergents and tissue papers, toothpaste/oral care, sanitary pads and diapers, battery cells, chargers are allowed.”
The letter also informed about the pension mentioned under the exemptions under clause 2(g). “It includes pension and provident fund services provided by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).”
Modi had announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown in his address on March 24th, 2020 as a measure to tackle the transmission of coronavirus that has infected over 900 people and killed 27 in India so far.
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