By Our Correspondent
JODA/KOIRA/JHARSUGUDA/ANGUL: With Union Home Ministry lifting certain restrictions imposed in view of the nationwide lockdown for COVID-19, many large-scale manufacturing Industrial units and mining units in Odisha started operating from April 20 after Lockdown phase 2 relaxation granted.The Central government had given instructions to give relaxations during Lockdown to industrial units to begin their functioning.
Sources in State Steel and Mines Department however said that all industrial units located outside the municipal boundaries have been instructed to open their manufacturing units following the Standard operating procedure provided by the Centre.
Reports from Joda, Koira and Sukinda in Keonjhar-Sundargarh-Jajpur, State’s mining zone and reports from two Industrial clusters including Jajpur and Jharsuguda said , normalcy are fast returning to work place following the relaxation given by Union Home Ministry. In Dhenkanal-Angul and Sundargarh belts , normalcy also returning, sources said on Monday.
These unit-heads have also been advised to provide thermal scanners, masks, sanitizers and maintain Social distance during the working shifts. Chief secretary Asit Tripathy had instructed the large scale manufacturing units of the state to work in coordination with the guidelines and SOPs of the centre while re-opening these industrial units post Lockdown.
“States should give attention to operationalize big industrial units, industrial estates and industrial complexes, especially where the labourers can be accommodated within the complex. Such activities can help 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. DMs/DCs should also explore the possibility of providing labourers employment through agriculture as well as MGNREGA activities,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in New Delhi.
“In respect of the labourers who continue to stay in relief camps, greater attention should be paid to the their welfare, including quality of meals being provided to them. While it is understandable that the situation is challenging, the issue can be addressed,” he said.
Shah, reviewed the situation of the COVID-19 epidemic in the country, with senior officers of the Ministry. The Home Minister directed to discuss with States, the relaxations in lockdown restrictions to be applicable from April 20 and control COVID-19 epidemic.
The Home Minister said that India is still fighting a battle with Corona under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, so the applicable lockdown restrictions as well as national directives should be followed scrupulously.
While reviewing the situation, HM said that 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 Home Minister said that now that community-based testing is being taken up through medical teams, States should take special care to ensure that each medical team is provided security. Before the team goes for testing in the community, the ground work in the community can be done by activating the peace committee and involving responsible community leaders, who can assuage the fear and confusion amongst the people with respect to testing, treatment and other aspects of COVID-19.
Patrolling in rural areas should be increased to monitor compliance with national directives to fight COVID-19. DMs/DCs can draw upon police, panchayat officials, revenue officials etc. to help monitor the compliance.
