Marine fishing, aquaculture exempted from restrictions

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 11

The Centre has sent the fifth set of amendments in the consolidated guidelines to states and UTs, asking them to exempt people involved in marine fishing and aquaculture from the lockdown.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said, “Operation of the fishing (marine) and aquaculture industry, including feeding and maintenance, harvesting, processing, packaging, cold storage chains, sales and marketing, hatcheries, feed plants, commercial aquaria, movement of fish, shrimp and fish products, and workers for all these activities are exempt from the lockdown restrictions.”

The MHA also reiterated that as specified in the lockdown measures, social distancing and proper hygiene practice must be ensured in each of the said activities as well as other activities permitted in previous orders. “It would be the responsibility of the head of the organisation or establishment to ensure compliance of such norms and the district administration will ensure the strict enforcement,” the MHA said. It has also reiterated its direction to strictly monitor social media for prevention of circulation of any objectionable content.

WB not enforcing lockdown: MHA

New Delhi: Objecting to what it called was a “gradual dilution” of lockdown in West Bengal, the MHA has said shops of non-essential goods were allowed to open in the state and the police also gave permission to religious gatherings. In a communication to the Chief Secretary and the DGP of West Bengal, the MHA said there was social-distancing norms were being violated at vegetable and fish markets. Back Page