J&K Admn declares lockdown; essential services to continue

Tribune News Service

Jammu/Srinagar, March 22

J&K Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam on Sunday ordered the shutdown of all establishments and services except essential commodities/services in the UT to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Meanwhile, in view of the situation, Secretary Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Simrandeep Singh on Sunday issued an order declaring 16 services as essential services and commodities within the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. These services can continue during the period of the lockdown.

According to the order, the essential services will include the supply of groceries (wholesalers and retailers); fresh fruit and vegetables (mandis and retailers); dispensing of petrol/diesel; milk shops, dairies and related products; supply of cattle feed and fodder; medicines and other pharmaceuticals (retailers, wholesalers and manufacturing); banks and ATMs; supply of LPG (domestic and commercial); health services (including the movement of staff); manufacturing of health and medical equipment; telecom operators and their designated agencies; newspapers; post offices; loading and unloading of wheat and rice at FCI and state food depots; transportation of essential commodities through national and state highways (petrol, diesel, kerosene, milk, vegetables, fruits, groceries, FCI supplies, etc.); and provision of electricity, water supply and municipal and sanitary services (including the movement of staff).