Exemptions for shops, offices and mining ..... Bengal’s emphasis had been on the saving of livelihoods with lives, so it would provide some relaxations: Rajiva Sinha

Ham radio operators help people during the ongoing lockdown in Calcutta (PTI)

Meghdeep Bhattacharyya, TT, 5.05.20, Calcutta: The Bengal government on Monday announced some relaxations for non-containment zones though the state said it had concerns over dilution of certain lockdown norms by the Centre.

“You know the Centre extended the lockdown by two weeks, but alongside they said there are some activities that the state governments can exercise their discretion regarding and allow,” chief secretary Rajiva Sinha said.

“The problem we face, which we have informed in writing, is the activities that were mentioned — definitely good for the economy, people can earn some money, wages can be paid, etc. — but they will end up diluting the lockdown. This we have verbally communicated to Delhi as many times as we have met over videoconference,” added Sinha.

“Today, we are again saying that the way these exemptions are being given, we have concerns over the dilution.”

He then asserted that the state’s emphasis had been on the saving of livelihoods with lives, so it would provide some relaxations.

“But because there is a central order, and the state government is sympathetic towards everyone — our emphasis has always been on life as well as livelihood. Despite our compulsions, some activities we are having to allow,” he said.

Following are the relaxations for the non-containment zones:

⚫Intra-district bus services in green zones, with not more than 20 passengers, as long as sanitisation requirements are met.

⚫Standalone shops, not inside market complexes, market areas, or shopping malls can open between 10am and 6pm.

⚫Neighbourhood shops can stay open between 10am and 6pm and sweetmeat shops between 8am and 6pm.

⚫Tea and paan shops can open, but without any gathering or adda.

⚫Mining activities in green and orange zones.

⚫All construction activities in rural areas, in situ construction — where workers are staying in the construction site — allowed in urban areas. Prior permission necessary from district magistrates elsewhere and the municipal commissioner in Calcutta

⚫Private offices can operate from 10am to 6pm, with 25 per cent staff. The government still encourages work from home, unless absolutely necessary

⚫Private cars can ply, for work, with two passengers, besides the driver for getting to and from work

Sinha reminded that gathering of more than seven people for social purposes was not allowed and it applied also to shops, banks, post offices and social functions.

He stressed that life was not normal yet.

“We are moving forward slowly so that such a lot of hard work — such a lot of cooperation from the people despite all the difficulties — does not go to waste in a matter of days,” he said.

Warning against violations, the chief secretary said: “Violations, we will be forced to act against, according to the Disaster Management Act.”

“We don’t want to take penal action, but if forced, we will be compelled to act against violators,” he added.