COVID-19: Dispur relaxes lockdown rules; offices to reopen today

COVID-19: Dispur relaxes lockdown rules; offices to reopen today

Relaxation does not imply normal life in society: Chief Secretary

Violators will be booked under Sections 269/270 of IPC : DGP

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Even though Dispur will make certain relaxation in the rules of the ongoing lockdown from Tuesday, the Assam Police has warned stern actions against those who would take undue advantage of the relaxation.

State Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna, while addressing a press conference at Assam Administrative Staff College at Khanapara here on Monday afternoon, said the Janata Bhawan and other government offices would reopen from Tuesday. He said the officers in the rank of deputy secretary and above would have to come to the State Secretariat compulsorily.

Krishna said in case of III and IV grades of employees of the State Secretariat the departmental heads would make a weekly rooster of employees. He, however, made it clear that only 30 per cent employees would come to the secretariat at a time.

“In case of the offices of various directorates, autonomous organizations, public sector undertakings the directors or managing directors will make the weekly duty rooster of maximum 30 per cent employees. In offices of DC and SDO the respective officials will make the duty rooster. While the ASTC buses will ferry the State Secretariat employees from different parts of the city, the other government offices will also provide common vehicles to employees. Employees will not be allowed to bring their private vehicles,” Krishna said, adding that the Janata Bhawan will remain closed for visitors till May 3 or until further order.

The Chief Secretary said government officers and employees will attend their duties by strictly maintaining social distancing, wearing masks and frequent washing of hands with sanitizers and soaps. He said there has been perception among the people certain relaxation of the lockdown rules would bring back normal life in the society. He said such perception is grossly wrong and the lockdown will be fully enforced in the State till May 3 as announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Under the relaxed lockdown rules the State will witness resumption of activities related to agriculture, rural economy, industries, food processing, manufacturing of IT materials, medicines, e-commerce of essential items, movement of agriculture products, milk supply, maintaining gosala, brick factories, irrigation, water supply, cold storage, fishing, livestock and opening of book stalls to distribute textbooks for three days in a week. Electricians and plumbers can also resume their work.

Krishna said around 9,000 migrant labourers who are stranded in different parts of the State will be transported to their homes on a particular date fixed by the government. He, however, said the general people stranded in different districts will have to remain at their current locations till May 3.

Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta who was also present at the press conference said the police would strictly enforce the lockdown and violators would be booked under Sections 269 and 270 of IPC. Under these sections the police can treat the lockdown violations as cognizable offences, he said, adding the people could face imprisonment and pay fine.

“Relaxation of certain lockdown rules does not imply lifting of lockdown. During the past days of lockdown the police have noticed that the people are coming out of their homes on various pretexts and flimsy grounds. The police will be stern in dealing with these persons if they do not amend their behaviour. Those engaged in essential services must carry identity cards or letters of authorizations,” Mahanta said.

The DGP said all police officers and personnel have been instructed to play the role of facilitator also to help the people in need during the lockdown. The police have been asked to be extra cautious and careful while dealing with health workers. Mahanta said any police official and personnel is found misbehaving with doctors, nurses and health workers will face punitive actions.

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