- Brick kilns to operate in Jammu Div
NL CORRESPONDENT
Jammu Tawi, Apr 15: Brick kilns will resume operations in Jammu as Lt Governor G C Murmu gave orders of easing out lockdown restrictions in the division, except in areas declared as red zones', amid the coronavirus pandemic thus may save over 50 thousands brick-kiln workers and few odd thousands other workers from otherwise eminent migration.
The move came a day after the administration constituted a committee for resumption of commercial and industrial activities in a controlled manner in the Union Territory. Brick kilns be allowed to function and owners of these kilns be directed to strictly observe the protocols like social distancing for labourers etc, working in these kilns, Additional Secretary to Lt Governor, Rakesh Magotra said in a letter to Jammu divisional commissioner.
In a separate notification issued today, the J&K Excise Commissioner has allowed the delivery and possession of Indian Made Foreign Liquor within the permitted limit of 12 bottles each of liquor and beer respectively in a regulated manner thus giving relief to the Liquor-lovers.
He said since the Centre has extended the lockdown up to May 3, the administration has to ensure hassle-free supply and distribution of commodities of daily need to the public at large. The letter said timings for opening of shops selling essential commodities will be increased to avoid overcrowding, while goods stored by dry fruit sellers in their shops or godowns may be allowed to be transported to cold storages in a systematic and staggered manner. Load carriers are allowed to enter the city premises during the lockdown before 9 pm to unload essential commodities. A plan be devised for opening of business entities engaged in non-essential items like mobiles, books etc in a staggered manner, fixing days in a week during which certain trades shall be allowed to open, the letter read. Magotra asserted that standard operating procedures be devised for strict compliance by these traders. Interacting with traders and representatives of various associations at Raj Bhavan here on Tuesday, the Lt Governor said a committee has been constituted for resumption of commercial and industrial activities in a controlled manner. The Lt Governor was informed that around 50,000 labourers working in brick kilns across Jammu were left stranded due to the lockdown, with a request to allow the operations of these kiln units.
Later in an order, the General Administration Department (GAD) said sanction has been accorded to the constitution of an eight-member task force for restoring economic activities and employment process in the Union Territory. The terms of the reference of the task force include developing a strategy or action plan for restoring normal economic activities in all sectors in the Union Territory and to develop a package for assistance to industry, agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry sectors to ensure their normal functioning, the order issued by Additional Secretary Rohit Sharma said.
It said the task force will also finalise a time-bound plan for recruitment to government job vacancies at different levels along with the process to be followed for early recruitment, keeping in mind the fiscal balance and monitoring the recruitment process. The order said the task force would submit the recommendations on the recruitment and action plan by May 15 and May 30, respectively. Meanwhile, 29 senior officers, including 23 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and five Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS) officers, have been assigned the task related to COVID-19 management in addition to their duties.
