Home ministry to ease movement of goods HOME MINISTRY has already constituted a team of officials which is in constant touch with the states to ensure smooth movement of essential commodities

Inter-state transport of essential goods being hampered in many states

The home ministry is coordinating with all states and Union Territories to have a uniform set of guidelines and policy regarding movement and supply of essential commodities and services as different orders by various states on the exclusion of certain services were leading to confusion.

The ministry has already constituted a team of officials which is in constant touch with the states to ensure smooth movement of essential commodities not just within in the state but inter-state as well.

Officials said that since there is an absence of any uniform guidelines for the lockdown, inter-state movement of essential commodities goods is being hampered. “We are trying to bring all states and UTs on the same platform and have a set of uniform guidelines. Since today is the second day of the lockdown some minor issues were there but within the next 25 hours all these problems will be resolved,’’ a senior ministry official said. He claimed most of the states had already appointed nodal officers and set up round-the-clock control rooms with emergency numbers for smooth transportation of essential goods and services.

The ministry once again reiterated to the states to be extremely careful in ensuring that transportation of essential services and people engaged in providing essential services do not face any trouble.

The core team of home ministry is in constant touch with the Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police for this purpose. “On Thursday also we insisted that all States must ensure continuity of supply chain of essential commodities, several of which may be of perishable nature. The nodal officers of all States are also in touch with and coordinating with the district administration and police in this matter,” a Ministry official added.

All States were asked to adopt similar Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for the unhindered operation of essential services and commodities. State DGPs were on Thursday again asked to ensure all adequate measures that any harassment to professionals.

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