Odisha relaxes lockdown norms for agriculture, allied activities from April 15

Bhubaneswar, Apr 13 () The Odisha government onMonday announced relaxation of some restrictions foragriculture, fisheries and allied activities during the secondphase of lockdown in the state from April 15, a seniorofficial said on Monday.

However, there will be no such relaxation inBhubaneswar since it has emerged as a coronavirus hotspot inthe state, Special Relief Commissioner P K Jena said.

Forty-one of the total 54 COVID-19 positive cases inOdisha have been detected in Bhubaneswar alone.

The government will have separate relaxationguidelines for Bhubaneswar. The state capital will not begiven relaxation as there is no agricultural activity orMGNREGA work in Bhubaneswar," Jena said.

Maintaining that social distancing will be strictlyimplemented during farming activities, Jena said, agricultureand allied activities such as movement of agri machines,opening of cold storages and application for crop loan areexempted from lockdown norms.

"All kinds of fisheries, allied activities andveterinary activities would continue during the second phaseof the lockdown," he said.

The Odisha government was the first state to haveextended the ongoing lockdown till April 30 to effectivelycontain the spread of coronavirus.

The government has also allowed plantation and relatedactivities and construction and repair of water bodies inforest and sanctuaries area, drinking water pipelines and tubewell repair work, Jena said.

Activities of 'Mission Shakis' by women self-helpgroups (SHGs) will also continue as earlier, the SRC said.

Roadside eateries like Dhabas will operate to ensurethat drivers of vehicles carrying essential items do not facefood scarcity.

However, people cannot eat sitting at roadsideeateries, but can carry the food and consume it somewhereelse, he said.

Relaxation will also be available to home delivery ofitems through e-commerce platforms and online platforms, hesaid.

Forest dwellers who eke out a living by collectingkendu leaves will be allowed to do so, the SRC said.

However, collectors of the districts concerned can takea decision in this regard taking into account the situationprevailing in the districts.

The SRC said, people can also participate in MGNREGAactivities by maintaining social distancing. AAM SKNMM MM