New Delhi (NVI): The Centre has shot a letter to the Kerala government over easing of lockdown by opening restaurants, MSME industries and allowing intrastate bus travel in the state, saying that this amounts to violation of its fresh guidelines for extended lockdown issues on April 15.
In a letter signed by Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, the MHA has said that Kerala’s steps amounted to dilution of guidelines issued by Home Ministry under the Disaster Management Act 2005.
GoI to Kerala:
GoKerala has allowed opening of activities, prohibited under Consolidated Revised Guidelines on #Lockdown2 measures, issued by MHA on 15.04.2020 to fight #COVID19. @PMOIndia @HMOIndia @MoHFW_INDIA pic.twitter.com/s3I8gFWOjx— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) April 20, 2020
In its communication, MHA stated, “Government of Kerala (GoK) on April 17 has circulated revised guidelines for lockdown measures to all departments, district collectors, superintendent of police and other heads of department of Kerala. On examining the said order, it is observed that the Kerala government has allowed opening of activities that are prohibited as per the MHA order issued on April 15, 2020. Such additional activities allowed by State government inter alia includes opening of local workshops, barber shops, restaurants; book stores, MSMEs in municipal limits, bus travel in the Cities/ towns for shorter distance (up to 60 km); two passengers In the back seat of four wheelers. This amounts to dilution of guidelines issued by MHA and issued under the Disaster Management Act 2005.”
However, the Kerala government has denied any violation of guidelines saying that there may be some “misunderstanding”, due to which the Centre has objected to dilution of the lockdown protocol.
Kerala has reported 402 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 3 deaths as of April 20, (9 AM), according to the Union Health Ministry.
