Home ministry tells states to ease hurdles faced by pharma industry
Home ministry asks states to prepare SOPs with proper protocols to ensure inter-state movement of pharma sector employees
NEW DELHI : As India enters its final week of lockdown, the Union home ministry has begun to iron out roadblocks in the movement of pharmaceutical products as well as employees engaged in this essential sector.
While the ministry has been working in conjunction with state governments and other ministries to clear all oaths for the movement of all essential services, including the supply-chain division of food products, it has now asked states to lay down standard operating procedures for employees of essential services to follow.
"In order to solve issues of the pharma sectors in certain pockets, Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla today has written to Chief Secretary of the concerned state and asked to prepare SOPs with proper protocols and social distancing to ensure inter-state movement of employees," the ministry said on Sunday.
While state borders in the country have been sealed to all movement, according to existing guidelines, the manufacturing and movement of essential items and their raw materials is permitted.
"Our detailed guidelines on 3 April allow for the inter-state movement of the employees of those (pharmaceutical) sectors as well," it said.
At the same time, the ministry has also stepped up action to provide relief to migrants who have been caught near state borders due to the lockdown.
"12.5 lakh people being sheltered in 27661 relief camps. 19460 food camps provide food to about 75 lakh people and 13.6 lakh workers being given food and shelter by employers," the ministry said on Sunday.
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