SHOPS OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES ALREADY HAVING PERMISSION CAN OPEN FROM 7 AM TO 11 AM FOR COUNTER SALE: DEPUTY COMMISSIONER PEOPLE CANNOT USE VEHICLES IF THEY WANT TO VISIT THOSE SHOPS

• WHOLESALE SHOPS TO OPEN AFTER 11 AM
• SHOPS IN RURAL AREAS CAN OPEN WITHOUT ANY PASS FROM 7 AM TO 11 AM
• SHOPS PROVIDING SERVICES AS WELL AS THOSE INSIDE MALLS, SHOPPING COMPLEXES CANNOT OPEN
• IN URBAN AREAS, ONLY STANDALONE SHOPS, THOSE INSIDE GATED RESIDENTIAL COLONIES, VEHRAS ETC CAN ALSO OPEN FROM 7 AM TO 11 AM
• RELAXATIONS FOR OPENING OF INDUSTRY & CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY ALSO ANNOUNCED
• 11 FRESH POSITIVE CASES REPORTED IN CITY IN LAST 24 HOURS; SITUATION UNDER CONTROL: PRADEEP KUMAR AGRAWAL

Ludhiana, April 29: News Punjab

Deputy Commissioner Mr Pradeep Kumar Agrawal today informed that as per the orders of the Punjab government, some relaxations have been given for opening of shops, industry and construction activity in both urban and rural areas of district Ludhiana.

The Deputy Commissioner informed that as per the new relaxations, the shops already permitted for home delivery of essential commodities, Agriculture equipment, hardware shops etc can do counter sale from 7 am to 11 am daily. He informed that they can do home delivery from 11 am to 7 pm only and counter sale would be strictly restricted from 11 am to 7 pm. He informed that these shopkeepers would have to strictly ensure that all their workers wear masks, there is no rush of people, people should stand at 2 metre distance from each other. If the shopkeeper fails to ensure this, then their permission would be cancelled. He informed that people who want to visit those shops do not require any pass from 7am-11 am, but they can commute only by foot. He said that they would not be allowed to use any vehicle to get essential commodities and if any person is found doing so, strict action would be taken against them. He appealed to the shopkeepers to ensure that all guidelines and SOP issued by the Punjab government is strictly complied with. He also appealed to the residents that only one person goes out to buy essential commodities, they should wear masks, wash hands properly and also clean the items purchased from those shops.

He further stated that the shops located in rural areas of district can also open from 7 am to 11 am for counter sale. People would not require any pass during that period, and they would have to commute on foot. If there is any shopping mall in these areas, those shops selling essential commodities would not be allowed to open. Only those permitted that sell essential commodities, stationary etc. He clarified that shops providing services such as barber shops etc will not be allowed to open.

He warned of strict action if anyone is found using that 7 am to 11 am time slot for any other purpose, other than buying essential commodities. He said that for shops (without permission) located in urban areas, only standalone shops (having no other shop on either side) can be opened. He said that shops of essential commodities inside residential complexes, gated colonies, vehras etc can be opened. Any shop inside a market, market complexes, shopping malls cannot open. He said that the wholesale market selling essential goods would open only after 11 am. The Restaurants, liquor ships, ahatas will not open.

He said that if any market association feels that they get covered in these guidelines, then market associations, can submit their applications along with a proper map of market (details such as nature of shop, name of owner etc) with a two member committee comprising area SDM & DSP (in municipal committees). Any market with two floors would not be allowed. For any permission within Ludhiana MC limits, two member committee comprising ADC Jagraon Mrs Neeru Katyal Gupta and DCP law and order Mr Ashwani Kapoor has been formed and they would decide regarding any matter.

With regard to the relaxations for industry, now the industry does not have to take permission if they are located in rural areas, focal points, industrial estates, SEZs etc (designated places). They would only have to submit a self declaration stating that they would follow all SOPs of Punjab government with GMDIC. The industry would ensure that the labour is quarantined within the factory premises, if any transportation facility is being provided to them, then they can get bus passes from GMDIC office, Ludhiana. If any labour commutes by cycle or walking from nearby, then they can get pass made from GMDIC. List of staff/labour can be submitted to GMDIC and he would issue bulk passes and one copy each can be distributed amongst the staff. But it would be valid only if it is supported by a valid identity card. The labour movement would be allowed only between 7 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm. The Management/owners can also apply for epass with the GMDIC, who has been authorised for issuing passes.

The Deputy Commissioner informed that in the first phase, only government projects were allowed, but now any construction in rural areas, there is no restriction even if any new project is to be started. For labour movement, if its within village, no pass required. If from outside village, then concerned SDMs of sub divisions have been authorised to issue passes.

For areas falling under Ludhiana Police Commissionerate, SDM East and SDM West & other urban areas, those projects whose construction was underway, but was halted due to COVID 19, they would be allowed. It can be of any private, residential, commercial project. But the contractor would ensure that the labour stays on site. If any person wants to start work related to construction, they can apply for permission at acgludhiana@gmail.com, along with details of their labour and bulk passes would be issued. This permission would be only for ongoing projects and the labour would stay on site.

He clarified that if any areas has been declared as containment area, no permissions would be granted. He appealed the residents that these relaxations are being given because the government feels that people would ensure all directions are followed.

He further stated that a total of 11 fresh positive cases were reported in last 24 hours. He informed that out of these 11, 7 persons have come from Nanded (Maharashtra) and 4 from Kota (Rajasthan). He informed that now all people coming from other states are being isolated and their tests conducted. He informed that in district Ludhiana, a total of 2190 samples have been sent for testing, out of which 1907 were negative, 32 positive (29 from Ludhiana +3 from other districts), 8 persons have been cured and 5 deaths have been reported. He said that now, there are 19 active patients in Ludhiana (all from Ludhiana). The driver of deceased ACP, who is basically a resident of Ferozepur and was undergoing treatment at Ferozepur and was declared cured and has been discharged from hospital today.