Panel of 18 to work on Apr 20 relaxation, build exit strategy

Transport, Op Of Industries, To Be Gradual

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:17.04.2020

The state government on Thursday set up an expert committee to formulate the guidelines for phased exit from the regulations imposed under the Disaster Management Act. The 18-member committee headed by finance secretary S Krishnan, including officials and experts, will make suggestions and advise on the way forward after April 20 and the strategy post lockdown.

The Centre on Wednesday issued guidelines extending the restrictions to May 3 to contain the Covid-19 spread. It suggested certain relaxations but the states have been told not to dilute the guidelines and to strictly enforce them. This included, IT and IT enabled services, with 50% strength. “The expert committee will give an interim report after a study of all activities on April 19, and a final report later on exit strategy, depending on the disease’s magnitude,” chief secretary K Shanmugam said. Incidentally, the Centre’s guidelines are specific in that it will not apply in the containment zones of the state. Tamil Nadu has 558 containment zones.

Industries operating in rural areas, outside the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities will be allowed. So too manufacturing and other industrial establishments with access control in special economic zones, industrial estates, industrial townships, and export-oriented units. The senior officials on Thursday held a preliminary talk on allowing industries, manufacturing units, food processing industries, and production units. It veered around issuing passes for the movement of individuals and vehicles, and staggering relaxation for industrial operations with minimum workforce to begin with. The rural development department has planned to increase MGNREGA workforce by 30% in the coming weeks. They will be offered masks.

The representatives of MSME sector, the worst affected during the lockdown, have been meeting authorities. Former vice-chancellor S P Thiagarajan, also member of the expert committee, felt that the state should take into consideration basic facts on the grounds in terms of the prevailing rate of infection of the virus and transmission pattern. “I am aware that the government is making data analytics based on various testing. This data analytics results will give us an indication on the transmission pattern. Though there is a slight indication that it is plateauing, we need more information, which will be available in the data analytics. This will give us a clarity of how exactly the level-wise exit plan can be worked out,” the microbiologist said.

The transport department is working on the exit strategy for after May 3, including fleet size of 30% to begin with and increasing it to 40% in a fortnight. The state transport corporations which are in the red hope for financial aid from the Centre to operate the services, given requirements like sanitisers and disinfectants for the public and crew members. The department may distribute masks to the public at a cost, free masks and gloves to the crew and commuters will be asked to maintain social distancing. “The strategies are being worked out and we may get a clear picture in the coming days,” said an official.