As India gears up for lockdown, govt urges public to step out only for essential products
Inter-state supplies of all essential items, like groceries and medicines will be permitted, says govtThe extreme measure is in conjunction with the extent of violation of lockdowns in various states
NEW DELHI : As the country now readies for a three-week nationwide lockdown, the Union home ministry has clarified that though the availability of essential services will not be halted, people are advised not to step out of their homes until necessary.
While the availability of essential grocery items has been largely steady since the imposition of the Janata curfew on Sunday, the ministry has said that the extreme measure is in conjunction with the extent of violation of lockdowns over the last few days in various states.
Essential products include all grocery and medicinal items, according to the government notification.
The home ministry clarified the Prime Minister’s remark on the functioning of essential services and said that “people should not step out of their homes at any cost—not to go for a walk or to go the grocery store or to buy medicines. If they home deliver, please have it delivered. Under no circumstance is one to step out. If they don’t home deliver, go only if absolutely necessary". The ministry also gave people some relief by saying that inter-state supplies of all essential products such as groceries and medicines would be permitted. The Centre is putting in place a stringent patrolling and penalising mechanism to monitor and deter the movement of people, the ministry said.
“We have observed that people are not abiding by the lockdown. We will be keeping a very strict vigil. Only if absolutely necessary to go buy an essential commodity, only one person must step out to procure the product, but only if it is absolutely mandatory," the ministry clarified.
The ministry also said that it had recorded several violations in the national capital region, as well as in other states and Union territories that have been under curfew and lockdown over the last few days. “People do not fully adhere to these guidelines. We have recorded several violations. We are now being forced to keep such a strict eye on any kind of violation. There are police pickets everywhere. People must avoid big, commercial stores and stick to local grocery stores and stores in their colonies selling essential items," a home ministry official said. As per the order only petrol pumps, CNG, LPG, PNG suppliers will be open in addition to disaster management, power transmission units. Police, home guards, defence and armed forces will also be operational along with electricity, water and sanitation providers.
Hospitals, dispensaries, medical shops, nursing homes, ambulances will remain fully functional along with ration and PDS units, groceries, fruits/ vegetable vendors, meat/ fish shops (home delivery encouraged).
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!