Expect more relaxations as State moves back to normalcy: Minister

Chennai

He also hinted that the functioning of government department will be back to normalcy by next month.

The state which is focussed on reducing the corona infection is now slowly getting back to pre-COVID levels. Due to corona field inspections and district wise inaugurals, the Chief Minister has won the confidence of public.

As on date the COVID situation is under control and there is no need for further lockdown. The infection rate in Chennai has reduced to 7 per cent, but the public should remain cautious and practise social distancing , the Minister said.

“Government departments excluding transport department has resumed 90 percent of its operations from Monday taking the state back to the pre COVID days and by next week the operations of all government departments will be back to almost 100 percent,” a senior state official said.

The transport and tourism sector were adversely affected, and their operations continue at 40 to 50 percent due to poor public patronage. The government has now started the review of other state activities. The focus is now on restoring the state economy hit by lockdown, a top official said, adding that the Schools, tourism hotspots, parks and zoos maintained by the government will continue to be closed for one more month. At secretariat, the top brass had also resumed the regular review of government departments. The land records related to the clearing of encroachments and the review of schemes aimed at below poverty line was held at secretariat with both Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam taking part in the review.

On Wednesday DT Next also visited three government departments — revenue, disaster management and municipal administration and all the departments were functioning as usual but with poor footfall. Sources at the revenue department at Shenoy Nagar regional office of City Corporation told DT Next that the revenue has fallen by over 60 percent forcing the civic body to issue tax default notices to several commercial establishments in Central and south Chennai.