Maharashtra prepares to relax lockdown in green, orange zones
1 min read 15 Apr 2020, 05:27 PM ISTA seven-member cabinet panel will formulate a revival plan for the state economyThe panel needs to resolve issues of labour, job losses inter-district movement of vehicles
PremiumMUMBA : The Maharashtra government is earmarking zones and preparing a blueprint to lift the lockdown partially in areas where the covid-19 infection has been contained, government officials said.
The lockdown could be completely lifted in green zones and orange zones. Green zones are areas where no coronavirus cases have been reported, while orange zones are those with 15 or lower number of coronavirus cases. Green zones include Solapur, Nandurbar, Parbhani, Banded, Wardha, Bhandara, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli. Orange zones include Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Satara, Kolhapur, Jalgaon, Osmanabaad, Beed and Jalna, among others.
“There are no instructions from the state government on lifting the lockdown yet. However, if the lockdown is lifted, we need to be more responsible and cautious. We have to maintain our green zone status. We will not be opening our borders to people from outside for now," said Dr Vipin Itankar, district collector, Nanded.
Maharashtra has already appointed a seven-member cabinet committee under deputy chief minister and finance minister Ajit Pawar to formulate a revival plan for the state’s economy after the lockdown is either partially lifted or withdrawn.
The committee may consider three main issues: Logistics, manpower and delivery of goods at the right price and at the right time. It may also consult the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) before making any recommendation to resume activities in green and orange zones.
According to a state government official, farmers and small industries are worried about job losses. Companies and other establishments, which manage and employ farm labourers and workers across small industries, are also under stress due to the revenue losses and increasing inability to repay their loans to banks.
Chandrajit Banerjee, director general, Confederation of Indian Industry, said exiting the lockdown in a phased manner will provide a road map for economic activities after 3 May. In a statement, CII said livelihoods of the rural population need to be protected by allowing agriculture and allied sector operations to continue.
