New Delhi (NVI): Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla today wrote to the state and union territory governments that there should be no restrictions on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods, during the ongoing Unlock process.
His letter mentions that any such restriction would amount to a violation of guidelines issued earlier by the Ministry of Home Affairs during the Unlock phases.
In a communication to chief secretaries of all states and Union Territories, Ajay Bhalla said, “It has, however, been reported that local level restrictions on movement are being imposed by various districts and states.”
“Such restrictions are creating problems in inter-state movement of goods and services and are impacting the supply chain, resulting in disruption of economic activities and employment, besides affecting supply of goods and services,” he added.
Meanwhile, referring to paragraph 5 of the Unlock 3 guidelines, Bhalla said the guidelines clearly state that there shall be no restrictions on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods.
The guidelines also stated that no separate permission, or e-permit will be required for movement of persons and goods for cross land border trade under treaties with neighbouring countries, he said in the letter.
He also requested all states and UTs to lift the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure that MHA guidelines issued are strictly followed
Moreover, the cross-border movement of people and goods had been stopped during the first two months of the nationwide lockdown. They were resumed, gradually, first in May as part of Lockdown 5 guidelines, with the Centre allowing movement within and between states.
Last month, while announcing “Unlock 3” guidelines, the Centre repeated this point, saying that there was no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of people and goods and that no separate permission, approval, e-permit will be required for such movement.
There have been three Unlock phases till date, with the current one set to end on August 31.
-RJV
