‘Jharkhand may resume public transport soon’
RANCHI: The state government is contemplating to open public transport that has been put on hold until lockdown 4.0 comes to an end, besides giving push to other economic activities.
However, things would depend on the directives of the central government if it decides to extend the lockdown nationally, those in know of the developments said.
Chief minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday permitted industrial activities in the municipal limits as well.
The state government had, during the third phase of the lockdown had allowed industrial units to operate in rural areas only.
Hinting at opening the public transport with some restrictions,
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Migrant labourers also need jobs for which the state government is exploring grounds, but without movement they would remain stranded in Jharkhand ALAMGIR ALAM, Rural development minister
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The government will hold meetings with the bus owners’ , auto rickshaw associations soon to evolve ways before they are allowed to operate. CHAMPAI SOREN , transport minister
state planning and finance minister Rameshwar Oraon said, “Movement of people from one place to other is required for economic activities.”
Rural development minister Alamgir Alam said migrant labourers also need jobs for which the state government is exploring grounds, but without movement they would remain stranded in Jharkhand.
“They cannot sustain without income, therefore, the state government is looking into possibilities of allowing public transport to resume in a staggered manner with restrictions,” he said.
Both, however, said the state would abide by the directives of the Union government.
State transport minister Champai Soren said the government was thinking of starting public transport after safe homecoming of all stranded persons.
The transport minster said the government would hold meetings with the bus owners’ association and auto rickshaw association soon to evolve ways before they are allowed to operate again.
State transport commissioner Faiz Aq Ahmed Mumtaz said the department was thinking on providing rebate to the transporters as well.
The situation will get clear only after a few days, the state transport commissioner said.
The government was also contemplating to open restaurants, only takeaway facility, said Oraon, stressing on the ‘gradual easing out’ policy of the state government.
Malls, schools, colleges and other educational institutes will not open for now .
“All such buildings and operations are closed till May 31 and the state will take further decisions on the basis of the Centre’s guidelines,”the rural development minister said.