Manipur govt allows lifting of restrictions in some sectors

    Imphal, Apr 20 (PTI) The Manipur government on Monday
decided to allow farming, MGNREGA work, construction of roads
and railway projects in rural areas from Tuesday during the
nationwide lockdown, officials said.
    The state Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister N Biren
Singh on Monday decided to allow work in some sectors to be
resumed from Tuesday till May 3, the officials said.
    The Cabinet also decided that all state government
offices would open from Tuesday and officers of the rank of
under secretary and above will report for duty.
    A statement issued by Chief Secretary J Suresh Babu
said: "locality-based retail shops dealing with essential
commodities shall be open from 6 am to 2 pm except on Sundays.
However, social distancing and wearing of masks is mandatory."
    The decision to allow some sectors to open is based on
the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs,
it said.
    "Farming operations by farms and farm workers in rural
areas which had been put to a halt and MGNREGA works are
allowed to be resumed subject to social distancing and
mandatory wearing of masks," it said.
    Construction of roads and railway projects including
Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises in rural areas outside the
limits of municipal corporation and municipalities have been
approved along with construction and maintenance of rural
water supply scheme.
    The relaxation in certain sectors are subject to
following of Standard Operating Procedure like social
distancing and wearing of masks, the statement added. PTI COR
RG RG

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)