Meghalaya: CS issues order related to permitted activities in the state

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 2, 2020

The chief secretary MS Rao has issued an order related to the activities permitted in the state including Shillong urban agglomeration as per guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

In rural areas, all shops and tea stalls excluding those that are located along the National Highways are allowed while in urban areas all shops from fixed premises are allowed, excluding barber shops, beauty parlours and salons. Restaurants, cafes, food outlets, tea shops for home delivery and take away services only are allowed to operate.

The order also stated that courier services for all goods, e-commerce operations in all goods, Common Service Centres, Services provided by self-employed persons like electricians, IT repairs, plumbers, motor mechanics, and carpenters as also mobile car repairing service consisting   of   a driver and 2 technicians/mechanics, kitchen appliances repair services, automobile showrooms, stand-alone automobile repair shops and authorised car wash units and travel agencies. However, shopping complexes/malls will continue to remain closed.

According to the order, 50% public & private transport are to operate on rotation basis which is to be decided by the Deputy Commissioners of the district concerned in consultation with the District Transport Officers. All public transport vehicles shall utilize only 50%   seating capacity. Four-wheeler vehicles will have maximum two persons besides the vehicle driver and for two ­wheelers, one pillion rider restricted only to female or child below the age of 12 years. Inter-District Movement of persons is permitted, however, inter-state movement of persons will continue to be restricted.

The following industries/industrial establishments (both government and private) will be allowed to operate. Food processing industries in rural areas i.e. outside the  limits of municipal corporations and municipalities including rice  mills and mustard oil processing, brick kilns in  rural areas i.e., outside the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, EPIP Byrnihat, Umiam Industrial  Estate and all  other industrial units in the  State to resume operations, cement plants to operate at 50%  capacity, mining of limestone and boulder by lease-holders for domestic sale within the State or  the Country. Export outside the   Country is permitted only through automated, elevated conveyor belt with no human intervention, quarrying of chips and aggregates including their transportation, all agriculture  and  allied    sectors  activities  like   farming  operations including livestock farming, Poultry, Fishery and  Hatcheries,  collection, processing and distribution of milk  and milk  products, mandis by APMC, procurement  and  marketing  of  agricultural  produce,  Custom  Hiring Centers,  cold   storage and warehouses. Manufacturing, packaging and distribution of agriculture inputs, seed, animal feed and fodder, movement of harvesting and sowing related machines/implements, operation  of  tea  industry including  plantations   for    production, processing, packaging and marketing, transportation of all  agricultural products subject to  transit point and route specified by respective Deputy Commissioners considering the prevailing COVID-19  situation, Veterinary Hospitals, Dispensaries, Clinics, sale  and   supply of medicine and vaccines, MNREGA works with strict implementation of social distancing and face mask.

As per the order of the Chief Secretary, the following construction activities are also permitted. In  urban  areas, only  in  situ   construction  (where  workers are available on site or workers, labourers, supervisors, contractors, etc working in the construction site coming  from their  residence within the  same district and  no  workers are  required to be  brought from outside) and  construction of renewable energy  projects. In rural areas, all construction activities including operation of weighbridges to facilitate the checking of loaded vehicles, operation of private office establishments with 33% employee-strength, non-contact sports excluding gymnasiums.

The Chief Secretary further informed that the above permission for operations is subject to adherence to guidelines of the   Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India to be checked and certified by the Deputy Commissioners. All those who wish  to commence any of   the   above   activities,  should  submit  an   undertaking  to   the   Deputy Commissioner confirming adherence  to  the  guidelines of Ministry of Home Affairs and protocols issued by the  Health and  Family  Welfare  Department, Government of Meghalaya before  the  commencement of operations. Deputy Commissioners shall ensure strict compliance to these guidelines through periodic inspections and submit reports to the concerned Departments and ensure that SOPs for social distancing are in place and followed.

Deputy Commissioners shall regulate the schedule and timing of operations. Deputy Commissioners may restrict the activities and number of shops to be opened as well as the locations depending on the local situation and to meet the social distancing norms.

Deputy Commissioners shall ensure strict compliance to all protocols and guidelines prescribed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India. All Deputy Commissioners shall also promulgate night curfew in the districts from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM prohibiting the movement of persons, added the Order.