Lockdown 2.0: Government Issues New Guidelines For Rural Areas; Here's All You Need To Know

The decision of providing relief will only be granted when the rules of lockdown are stringently followed. Those areas which have been identified as hotspots or which has possibility of becoming hotspots, will not get any relief.

(Representative Image/ Getty)

New Delhi: The Central government has issued a consolidated guidelines detailing the modus operandi during the extended lockdown period as announced by PM Modi on April 14. According to the government, the lockdown will be strictly followed for a week. After April 20, every area will be evaluated. The decision of providing relief will only be granted when the rules of lockdown are stringently followed. Those areas which have been identified as hotspots or which has possibility of becoming hotspots, will not get any relief. In the second phase of the lockdown, from April 20, the government has allowed the small financial institutions to provide relief to the people of rural and remote areas. This includes the Cooperative Credit Society, Non-Banking Financial Institution, Housing Finance Company, which can operate with strict adherence to the rules with minimum staff. The government has also sanctioned laying optical fiber cables in rural areas. The minor forest produce has also been allowed in the Bamboo Coconut Tribal areas. Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued detailed guidelines in which they were not mentioned, as before, the final decision in the conduct of these things will come under the local administration. At present, Rabi crops have been ripened in the villages. Due to the lockdown, laborers could not be found to cut crops. According to the new guidelines of the government, the agriculture sector has been given a concession. Other agriculture-based businesses including shops of farm machinery, fertilizer and pesticide manufacturing firms and seed shops are allowed to function. The government has allowed all agricultural and horticultural activities. This means harvest can be done without restriction in the areas where Coronavirus cases have not been reported. The problem of electricity and water in the houses had increased due to the lockdown. Because of this problem, the government has permitted electricians and plumbers to work. According to the new guideline, electricians and plumbers can now go home and work. Many other companies, as well as IT companies, were closed down due to the lockdown. According to the new guidelines of the government, now IT companies will open up and work will also be done. In the guideline issued by the government, it has been said that the office can be opened with only 50 percent of employees. Permission has been granted to construct roads and buildings in the village. Apart from this, motor mechanic and carpenter have also been allowed to work. E-commerce companies have also been given an exemption to the new guideline. Courier services have also been allowed to work. At the same time, according to the new guidelines of the government, hotels, and lodges will be opened for those stranded in lockdown.