New Delhi, Apr 15: E-Commerce companies, vehicles used by their operators and courier services, will be allowed to operate with necessary permissions, the government said on Wednesday.

From April 20 onwards, cold storage and warehousing services, including at ports, airports, railway stations, container depots and other links in the logistics chain will be allowed to operate, according to consolidated revised guidelines on the measures to be taken by the Ministries, state and UT governments for containment of COVID-19 in the country.

Private security services and facilities management services for maintenance and upkeep of office and residential complexes will also be allowed to operate.

Services provided by self-employed persons like electrician, IT repairs, plumbers, motor mechanics and carpenters will be allowed to work.

Transportation of goods will be permitted without any distinction of essential or non-essential.

The revised consolidated guidelines are aimed at operating those sectors of the economy, which are critical from the perspective of rural and agricultural development and job creation, while maintaining strict protocols in areas, where safety is paramount to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced the extension of the nationwide lockdown till May 3. PM Modi also said that detailed guidelines will be issued by the government on Wednesday, which will include stepped-up measures in the coming week.

Manufacturing and other industrial establishments with access control have been permitted in SEZs, EoUs, industrial estates and industrial townships, after implementation of SOP for social distancing.

Manufacture of IT hardware and of essential goods and packagings are also allowed. Coal, mineral and oil production are permitted activities. It is expected that the industrial and manufacturing sectors will see a revival with these measures, and will create job opportunities while maintaining safety protocols and social distancing.

To provide an impetus to the rural economy, industries operating in rural areas, including food processing industries; construction of roads, irrigation projects, buildings and industrial projects in rural areas; works under MGNREGA, with priority to irrigation and water conservation works; and operation of rural Common Service Centres, have all been allowed.

These activities will create job opportunities for rural labour, including the migrant labour force.

The activities permitted under the revised guidelines, from April 20, will not be allowed within the containment zones as demarcated by States, UTs, District Administrations, as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

At the same time, the important components of the financial sector, Reserve Bank of India and RBI regulated financial markets and entities like NPCI, CCIL, payment system operators and standalone operators, will remain operational.

50 booked for violating prohibitory  orders 

Mubashir Aalam Wani

Srinagar, Apr 15: As the Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended lockdown till May 3, the Jammu and Kashmir continued to witness complete closure of markets, educational institutions across the Union Territory in wake of the deadly Coronavirus outbreak.

Witnesses told KNO that the police and paramilitary troopers continued to remain deployed on the roads to enforce the lockdown for the 22nd straight day to prevent the virus from spreading.

The virus has so far killed four people in Jammu and Kashmir and has infected 300 people in last nearly one month, creating panic among the people. The government as well as the health experts has appealed people to stay indoors and follow the advisories issued so far.

Besides, nearly 90 places across Jammu and Kashmir have been declared red zones after positive cases were reported from these areas.

Moreover, the Jammu and Kashmir Police continued to book persons across the Union Territory after they were found violating the government’s prohibitory orders issued under section 144 CrPC.

In north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, the authorities sealed 10 shops for violating the government orders. “All the 10 shops were open despite lockdown and as such their shops have been sealed,” police said.

In Handwara area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, Police booked 41 persons for defying prohibitory orders and sealed eight shops. Besides, officials said that three vehicles were also seized by the government.

In Samba district, a man was booked for concealing his travel history to various red zones, police said, adding that the man has been kept under quarantine and a case under FIR number 32/2020 under section 269/270/188 IPC has been registered at Police Station Ghagwal.

Srinagar, Apr 15: Army Chief Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane is arriving here on two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, a local news agency GNS reported.

It said that the Army Chief will review the prevailing security situation as well as measures undertaken by the army amid global COVID-19 pandemic.

General Naravane is likely to visit the forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) during his two stay in J&K region, they said.

Besides the top army officer will interact with Lt Gen YK Joshi Northern Army Commander, Lt Gen B.S. Raju GOC of Srinagar-headquartered 15 Corps and other officers, they added. (GNS)

Directs SMC to install de-contamination tunnels at Secretariat, Raj Bhavan, High Court, AG office
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Apr 15: Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Pandurang K Pole, today chairing a high level meeting to review arrangements being put in place for ensuing Durbar Move.
In view of current COVID-19 Pandemic, threadbare discussion were held regarding sensitization, thermal screening, fumigation of vehicles of employees, along National Highway, in and around Civil Secretariat & its related offices and accommodations of Move employees.
The Divisional Commissioner directed SMC to install three de-contamination tunnels at Civil Secretariat, two at Raj Bhavan, one each at AG office, High Court and other important places before opening of the move offices. Corporation will also ensure proper cleanliness and fumigation on daily basis at these places.
Health Department will deploy health camps at Qazigund, Bijbehara and Pampore along National Highway with doctors, paramedical staff, equipment, medicines and ambulances besides permanent Health Camp will be stationed at civil Secretariat with all requisite medical facilities.
For risk free transportation, SRTC will deploy best vehicles for the Durbar Move employees and the vehicles will be properly fumigated and social distancing protocol maintained before commuters boarding.

Estates department will earmark all accommodations in Green Zones of the capital city due to present situation of Corona virus threat.
FCS&CA department will ensure hassle free supply of ration and LPG cylinders to the move employees.
The Divisional Commissioner also reviewed power & water supply, renovation works, land-scapping and sanitation works in Civil Secretariat and other Durbar related offices.
Floriculture department will ensure for face lifting of the Secretariat lawns and beautification of roads with flowers and pot plants.
Police will make fool proof security arrangement in and outside the secretariat besides in residential quarters.

The Divisional Commissioner stressed the officers to keep close vigil and maintain close coordination to ensure hassle free shifting of Darbar-Move to the Srinagar City.
District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, DIG (North), Directors of Health Services, FCS&CA and Floriculture, SMC Commissioner, Chief Engineers of R&B and KPDCL, RTO Kashmir, GM SRTC, SSPs of Security & Traffic (Rural), Superintending Engineers of PHE &UEED, Assistant Commissioner (central) and other concerned officials were present in the meeting.