Coronavirus Lockdown: Why Confusion is on order of Central Government to open shop

Posted on 25th Apr 2020 by rohit kumar

new Delhi

In the wake of the Corona virus, the government has extended the exemption in the lockdown implemented across the country. Now apart from shops connected with essential goods, shops of non-essential goods can also be opened with conditions. So will every neighborhood store open now? With the new order of the Union Home Ministry, Saturday morning, along with the common people, the shopkeepers have also been confused. In fact, the fine words used in the government's notification increased this confusion. Let us explain in simple language what this order of the government means and where shops will open and where not.

 

What is order

The Union Home Ministry has changed its order issued on 15 April under the Disaster Management Act 2005. Under this change, now shops of non-essential goods are also allowed to open with certain conditions.

 

Shops will not open in hotspots

Unserviceable shops in hotspots and containment zones will still not be open. In the Corona virus hotspots, the relaxation of the lockdown rules from the center will not apply. It can be understood as such. The confusions that followed the relaxation of the lockdown were followed by the Gautam Buddha administration clarifying that no relaxation of hotspots would be allowed. Noida Sector 22 is a Covid-19 hotspot, so the new rules of the Center will not apply there.

 

Only registered shops will open, without registration

It has been clearly written in the order of the Ministry of Home Affairs that only shops registered in various states are allowed to open under the Shops and Establishment Act. Shops that are not registered under this law in the respective state will not open. Actually, to start any small shop, it is necessary to get it registered. This registration is done under the MSME Act 2006 or the Shop Act in the respective municipality.

 

50% staff, mask, social distancing condition

Shops and stand-alone shops close to residential colonies have received this permission with conditions. Only 50 percent of the staff in these shops will be able to work at the moment. It will be mandatory to apply masks and follow the rules of social distancing. Actually, how many staff are there in the shops, on which days they are discharged, how many are the working hours, such information is given to the registered shops government. Now only half of their approved staff strength will be able to work at present.

 

States are free to take decisions here

CAT's national general secretary Praveen Khandelwal has clarified the situation on the confusion created by traders across the country on Friday night's order to open shops. He said that now we have to wait for the decision of all the state governments. Actually, different states can make their own rules regarding the opening of shops in view of the state of infection here.

 

Delhi government will take decision in today or tomorrow

The Delhi government has not yet taken any decision on the Centre's order to open all the shops in Delhi. Sources told the Navbharat Times that the Delhi government will take a decision on this today or tomorrow. Delhi is one of the states most affected by the Corona virus in the country. In such a situation, the state government will review the current situation before allowing unnecessary goods and services.

 

UP government is going to decide today

The Central Government has given permission, but the final decision has to be taken by the State Governments. If the state government gives permission, only then shops will open in that state. In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will meet today and decide on it. Other state governments will also take their decision in this regard.