Avoid shopping daily, CM urges people

Strict action against those defying prohibitory orders, says Palaniswami

04/04/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

Keeping morale high: Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami serving food in Chennai on Friday. PTIR Senthil Kumar

Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Friday urged people not to step out of their homes to shop daily for essential supplies. Instead, they should stock supplies at least for a week during the lockdown.

Mr. Palaniswami said the government would strictly implement the prohibitory orders since many were not taking them seriously.

After visiting three camps for migrant workers, he told journalists, “People should follow the instructions in the right manner. They should not go out to shop for essential supplies daily. They could shop for vegetables and provisions for a week.”

Some have not realised the seriousness of the pandemic. “Some are out on two-wheelers and many are coming in cars too,” he said and added that about 45,000 cases had been registered for violating prohibitory orders and 50,397 persons were arrested and released on bail. About 37,000 vehicles had been impounded and 92 cases were booked for spreading rumours and 95 persons arrested in that regard.

He warned that if people did not listen, then “law will do its duty.” The prohibitory orders were issued in people’s interest.

“Every family is important to the government and it is the government’s responsibility to ensure their safety. The people should cooperate by staying at home,” Mr. Palaniswami appealed.

Asked if the lockdown would be extended, he said: “The Centre has announced it until April 14. Wait and see.”

On the price rise in some places, he said though lorries with essential supplies were allowed to operate, not many were operating. The government had been taking steps to tackle this and action taken against those selling commodities at higher prices.

No salary cut

He replied in the negative when asked if the salary of government employees would be cut like in a few other States.

The Chief Minister visited camps in Raja Annamalaipuram, Velachery and Periamet, where migrant workers had been provided shelter, food and relief material. Workers from Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and so on were in the camps.

About 1.18 lakh workers from other States were working in Tamil Nadu. Municipal Administration Minister S.P. Velumani, Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar, Commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation G. Prakash, and Chennai District Collector R. Seethalakshmi accompanied him.