MHA allows bookstores, recharge shops to open

Back to work

*Bread factories and flour mills

*Electric fans shops

*Silviculture operations

*Inter and intra-state movement of planting material

Aadhaar reprieve for J&K, Assam

New Delhi: The government on Wednesday extended till March 2021 the relaxation given to Assam, Meghalaya, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh from the mandatory requirement of Aadhaar seeding of data of beneficiaries under the PM-KISAN scheme. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “It has been assessed that it would take some more time for the states and the UTs to complete the Aadhaar seeding of data of beneficiaries.” Therefore, it said the beneficiaries of the state and the UTs “may not be able to avail the benefits under the scheme if relaxation is not approved”. TNS

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 22

Further relaxing lockdown norms, the government today allowed opening of shops selling educational books and electric fans.

In its order, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said public utilities, including recharge facilities for prepaid mobile phones, would also be allowed to open. Bedside attendants of senior citizens will be allowed to offer their services.

Bread factories and flour mills located in urban areas can restart operations.

“Shops selling educational books for students and electric fans will be allowed to open during the lockdown, which is scheduled to end on May 3,” the MHA said in the order.

Besides, food processing units such as bread factories, milk processing plants, and flour and dal mills located in urban areas, will also be allowed to function. Inter and intra-state movement of planting material and beehive products will be allowed, the order said. It stated that forestry plantation and related activities, including silviculture operations, could also operate during the lockdown period.

The MHA, however, made it clear that social distancing in offices, workshops, factories and other establishments must be ensured.

It also allowed sign-on and sign-off of seafarers at Indian ports and their movement for the aforesaid purpose as per the standard operating protocol.