New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued an order to include more activities which include Non-Banking financial institutions, cooperative credit societies and other financial institutions with minimum staff, making them exempt from the lockdown with effect from April 20.
MHA in its order has included in water supply and sanitation, laying/erection of power transmission lines and telecom optical fibre and cable along with related activities in "Construction activities in rural areas" clause.
Also Read: MHA directs states to ensure smooth harvesting and sowing operations
Similarly, Home ministry has added collection, harvesting and processing of Minor Forest Produce (MFPF)/Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) by Scheduled Tribes and other forest dwellers in forest areas in 'agriculture and horticultural activities.
#COVIDIndia Update:
— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) April 17, 2020
MHA order to exempt activities from #Lockdown2 restrictions?
●Activities reg. Minor/Non-Timber Forest produce
●Activities reg. Bamboo, Coconut, Arecanut, Cocoa, Spices plantations
●NBFCs & Coop Credit Societies
●Activities reg. Construction in Rural Areas pic.twitter.com/Aw7S4oW6Hf
'The ministry, in its third addition, has added Bamboo, Coconut, Arecanut, Cocoa, spices plantation and their harvesting, processing, packaging, sale and marketing making them exempted from the lockdown with effect from April 20.
To give relaxation to the financial sector, MHA has allowed Non-Banking financial institutions (NBFCs) including Housing Finance Companies (HFCs) and Micro Finance Institutions (NBFC-MFIs) with bare minimum staff have been allowed to function.
These activities will be allowed from 20th April in non-containment zones.
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of lockdown till May 3, the MHA issued detailed guidelines for the extended lockdown and introduced new points like wearing a face mask in public places will be compulsory, spitting in public spaces shall be punishable with fine and selected activities to be allowed from April 20 in non-hotspot places. (ANI)
