Sectors to be Allowed to Resume amid Lockdown 2.0 in India!

The Recent Speech of The Indian PM on Tuesday said, Some Industries perhaps to be allowed to resume their Economic Activities from 20th April only if, the State/UT Demonstrates some Significant Progess till then. Analysis of How effectively the Containment measure were Implemented till then would be conducted based on that Districts within States and UT's would be divided into 3 Zones, Red Zone, Orange Zone and Green Zone said the, The Ministry of Home Affairs.

Where Red Zones(Hotspots) meaning Critical number of existing Patients with ample number of Victims adding up each Day, Orange Zones meaning Critical number of existing Patients with a subtle or no Growth whereas Green Zones meaning minimal number of Cases with zero growth rates in a certain period. Based on this States/UT's shall be provided by certain relaxation on the Economic Aspects. 

The Top Health Ministry Official identified 170 Districts as Covid-19 Hotspots(RedZones) and explained that such areas would be treated as Green Zones only if they do not report a single Coronavirus case in a span 28 days.

Sector/Industries to be Prohibited are as follows :

1) Travel by Air, Rail and Road. (Both Domestic and obviously International)

2) Operation of Educational and Training Institutions.

3) Industrial and Commercial Activities. (Unless Specifically Mentioned)

4) Hospitality services.

5) All Cinema Halls, Shopping Complexes, Theatres, Gyms, Museums, etc.

6) All Social, Political and Other Events.

7) Opening of all Religious Places/Places of Worship for members of public, Including Religious Congregations.

The Government assured that Vital Activities such as Agriculture and Rural Development for the DailyWagers would be taken care of completely. Enough Opportunities shall be catered to support the Basic Needs of the Country and the Labour Section particularly, while maintaining the protocol of Social Distancing by utmost vigilance.

Sectors to be permitted are as follows :

1) FARMING  

Farming Operations by Farmers and Farm workers on the field.

Agencies engaged in procurement of Agriculture Products Including MSP operations.

Mandis Operated by APMC or as notified by State/UT Government. Direct Marketing operations by the State/UT Government or by Industry, directly from Farmers or Group of Farmers, FPO's co-operatives etc. States/UTs may promote decentralised Marketing and procurement at village level.

Shops of Agriculture Machinery, its spare parts (including its Supply chain) and repairs to remain open.

Custome hiring Centres related to Farm Machinery.

Manufacturing, Distribution and Retail of Fertilizers, Pesticides and Seeds.

Movement (Inter and Intra State) of Harvesting and Sowing related Machines like combined Harvester and other Agriculture/Horticulture implements.

2) FISHERIES

Operations of the Fishing (Marine and Inland) Aquaculture Industry including feeding and maintenance, Harvesting, Processing, Packaging, Cold chain, Sale and Marketing.

Hatcheries, Feed plants, Commercial aquaria.

Movement of Fish/Shrimp and Fish Products, Fish seed/Feed and workers for all these activities.

3) PLANTATION

Operations of Tea, Coffee and Rubber Plantations with maximum of 50% of Workers.

Processing, Packaging, Sale and Marketing of Tea, Coffee, Rubber and Cashew with maximum 50% Workers.

4) ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

Collection, Processing, Distribution and Sale of Milk and Milk products by Milk processing plants Including Transport and Supply chain.

Operation of Animal Husbandry Farms Including Poultry Farms, Hatcheries and Livestock farming activity.

Animal Feed Manufacturing and Feed Plants including Supply of Raw materials such as maize and soya.

Operation of Animal Shelter Homes including Gaushalas.

5) COMMERCIAL & PRIVATE ESTABLISHMENTS

Print and Electronic Media including Broadcasting, DTH and Cable services.

IT and IT enabled services with up to 50% of Strength.

Data and Call Centres for Government Activities only.

Government approved Common Services Centres at Gram Panchayat level.

E-commerce Companies. Vehicles used by E-Commerce Operators will be allowed to ply with necessary Permissions.

Courier Services.

Cold Storage and Warehousing Services Including at Ports, Airports, Railway Stations, Container Depots, Individual units and other links in Logistics Chain.

Private Security Services and Facilities Management Services for maintenance and upkeep of Office and Residential Complexes.

Hotels, Homestays, Lodges and Motels which are accommodating Tourists and Persons stranded due to Lockdown. Medical, Emergency Staff, Air and Sea Crew.

Establishments used/Earmarked for Quarantine facilities.

Services provided by Self Employed Persons like Electrician, IT, Repairs, Plumbers, Motor Mechanics and Carpenters.

6) Manufacture of IT Hardware and Essential Goods with their packaging are also allowed. Coal, Mineral and Oil Production are permitted Activities. It is expected that the Industrial and Manufacturing Sectors will see a revival with these measures and will create Job Opportunities while maintaining Safety Protocols and Social Distancing. 

At the same time Important Components of the Financial Sector, i.e., RBI, Banks, ATMs, Capital and Debt Markets as notified by SEBI and Insurance Companies will also remain functional with a view to provide enough Liquidity and Credit support to the Industrial Sectors.

7) The Revised Guidelines also permit all Health Services and Social Sector to remain functional, Public Utilities to function without any Hindrance, Supply Chain of essential Goods to operate without any halt.

Important Offices of Central & State Government, Local Bodies to remain open with required strength.