No industrial activity in containment zones: Punjab CM

Chandigarh, April 20 (IANS) In line with his decision not to ease the statewide curfew, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday clarified industrial units being permitted to function in non-containment zones would be required to align to the state orders and also the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines.

The MHA guidelines are in consonance with the state government’s decision to allow certain units to function with labourers staying on-site, the Chief Minister pointed out, adding the Centre had accepted Punjab’s suggestion on this count.

Amarinder Singh, who announced on Sunday there would be no relaxation in curfew in the state till May 3, on Monday asked the Deputy Commissioners to immediately clamp down on all activities that are contributing to the spread of the Covid-2019 pandemic in the containment zones and any other areas where the local administration sees a hotspot developing.

At the same time, he asked the Deputy Commissioners to facilitate opening of industrial units in non-containment areas by meticulously complying with the detailed instructions issued by the state on April 18 to facilitate opening of such industrial units that can operate in the light of the MHA orders.

All MHA guidelines and conditions should be strictly complied with by the district administration, he added.

Conditions laid down by the state government with regard to arrangement for stay, transport and food should be strictly met, along with compliance with all health advisories relating to the pandemic, the Chief Minister said.

He said the state was deeply concerned about the plight of labour, including migrant labour, and of Punjab’s industry, most of which is tiny, micro, and small.

At the same time, he said: “We are fully conscious of the need to ensure that the curfew imposed in the state has helped contain the spread of Covid-19, and therefore needs to continue for some more time”.

Eleven different categories of industrial establishments have been allowed to operate with the condition that in case the industrial establishment employs 10 or more people, it shall make arrangements for stay of workers within its premises as far as possible.

The transportation of workers to workplace would be arranged by the employers in dedicated transport by ensuring social distancing.

–IANS

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