‘Extend timing of shops selling essentials’
*Govt offices to remain closed till April 19
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Apr 15: Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu has directed the divisional administration in Jammu region to devise plan for opening of business entities engaged in non-essential items in a staggered manner and extend timing for opening of shops dealing in essential commodities to avoid overcrowding.
A set of guidelines issued by the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat directed the divisional administration of Jammu to devise a plan for opening of business entities engaged in non-essential items like mobile telephones, books etc in a staggered manner, fixing days in a week during which certain trades shall be allowed to open.
It has asked the administration to devise guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for strict compliance by these traders.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the staggered opening of mobile telephone and books shops were aimed at meeting emergency requirements of the people especially the students to ensure that their studies don’t suffer.
The LG’s Secretariat has also asked the administration to increase timing for opening of shops dealing in essential commodities to avoid overcrowding.
The Advisory issued by the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat has also directed that the brick kilns be allowed to function and owners of the kilns asked to strictly observe the protocols like social distancing for labourers and others working there.
It has also directed the administration to allow load carriers to enter in the City premises during the lockdown before 9 pm to unload essential commodities.
“The goods stored by the dry fruit sellers in their shops and godowns may be allowed to be transported to cold storages in a systematic and staggered manner,’’ the LG Secretariat order said.
It added that during the lockdown period till May 3, the administration has to ensure hassle-free supply and distribution of commodities of daily need to the public.
Meanwhile, the Union Territory Government today ordered that the Government offices except those providing essential services will remain closed till April 19.
The offices listed in the essential services category included Police, Home Guards, Civil Defence, Fire and Emergency Services, Disaster Management and Prisons, Health and Medical Education Department Institutions, district administration and Treasury, Electricity, Water, Sanitation SRTC and Municipal Bodies—only staff required for essential services like sanitation, personnel related to water supply etc.
The Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commi-ssioner, Deputy Commissioners, Heads of the Departments, Managing Directors etc will draw up a minimal roster of officers, officials and staff, who are required to render essential services within their departments/ offices. Rest of the employees will remain available on telephone and electronic means of communication at all times and attend office in case of any exigency as and when required.
Other employees will work from home till April 19.
According to sources, the Government is likely to issue fresh order on the opening of Government offices on April 19 as it was going to ease some restrictions in the lockdown from April 20 as hinted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat today.
Meanwhile, the administration has estimated that there could be around 20,000 to 25,000 people of Jammu and Kashmir stranded in various other States who want to return to the Union Territory as and when the UT’s border with Punjab at Lakhanpur, which is closed for past about three weeks, is re-opened.
About 1600 people of J&K were under quarantine at different places in Pathankot, the neighbouring district of Kathua, in Punjab and most of them have either completed their 14-day mandatory quarantine period or were in the process of completing it.
However, according to sources, the administration has no proposal to open Lakhanpur, the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir, at least till April 20 till when stricted lockdown is in place.
A decision on whether to open Lakhanpur border for allowing people to enter their home Union Territory or not is expected to be taken after few days, sources said.
It may be mentioned here that the people from Jammu and Kashmir stranded at various States were approaching the Union Territory Government on Help lines to bring them back or facilitate their home coming.
Meanwhile, people completing their quarantine period of 14 days at various places have been allowed to go home after completion of all formalities in Kathua, Samba, Rajouri and other districts.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
