NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed senior ministry officials to remain in constant touch with state authorities and discuss with them on issues relating to lockdown relaxations, which are going to be implemented tomorrow.
During a review meeting on the situation of the COVID-19 epidemic in the country with the senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Shah said, the country is still fighting a battle with coronavirus under the leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and therefore “the applicable lockdown restrictions as well as national directives should be followed scrupulously”.
According to an official release from the MHA, Shah said, “While certain activities are being permitted in those areas which do not fall within hot-spots/clusters/containment zones, due caution has to be exercised to ensure that only genuine exemptions/relaxations are given.”
In order to give a boost to the rural economy, certain economic activities have been permitted in rural areas.
“Accordingly, DMs/DCs, in collaboration with industries, should make arrangements to transfer labourers to their place of work within the state. Modi government believes that on one hand, this will give a fillip to economic activity and on the other, provide employment to the labourers,” the minister said.
Shah asked the officials to impress upon states to give attention to start big industrial units, industrial estates and industrial complexes, especially where the labourers can be accommodated within the complex.
“Such activities can help in triggering economic revival, while ensuring that the labourers are provided gainful employment. Modi government is committed to protect the rights of every section of the society in these difficult times,” he said, adding that district administration should also explore the possibility of providing employment through agriculture as well as MGNREGA activities.