No relief for big units in post April 20 phase

Top officials in the State led by Chief Secretary K Shanmugham, on Saturday, brainstormed the pros and cons related to easing of the lockdown after April 20 as per Centre’s regulations. The guidelines are expected to be announced on Monday.

Districts like Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri which did not report any corona cases will be eased, while majority of the restrictions will continue for heavily infected districts like Chennai, Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode, informed official sources told DT Next.

“Construction works are likely to resume; sub-registrar offices will start working. Two-wheeler movement will be restricted. Company-sponsored transports to move employees will be allowed and the ban on private and public transport will continue. District Collectors have also been asked for their inputs on infection rate,” said an official who is part of the government formulated expert committee. Entrepreneurs have also asked permission to clean the factories and industries with a limited workforce.

“Reopening of cement mixers, hardware, leather tanneries and electrical appliances are pitched in from select trading bodies, but most of the large industries and factories are told to extend the lockdown so that there is no threat to public life,” the official said.

“We have two more days to finalise the draft and the views of all industries. The final decision will be announced by the government on Monday,” said another official. The Centre’s guidelines are also clear that there will not be relaxations in COVID hotspots and containment areas. The State has close to 600 containment zones, so there will not be any major relaxation, the official added.

Finance Secretary S Krishnan who is leading the team comprising industrial bodies and officials also examined about the re-opening of select manufacturing sectors from next week. The final decision is to be taken up by the Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanis as the Centre has already warned States not to dilute the restrictions. The Public Works Department will commence works related to drinking water augmentation and the Agriculture department will also start functioning at full pace.