Section 144 will be strictly enforced from now on, says chief minister

₹1,000 At Doorstep, No Salary Cut

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:04.04.2020

Upset over a few sections of people not taking prohibitory orders seriously – despite the state recording 102 fresh cases in a day, taking the tally to 411 -- Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has warned that the government will enforce it more stringently from now on, as it is left with no choice.

He also said the state government will deliver the Covid-19 cash dole of ₹1,000 to beneficiaries at their doorsteps, along with the tokens for free ration goods. Palaniswami also clarified that the government will not resort to salary cuts for its staff.

The chief minister said the government had allowed the movement of essential commodities despite lockdown orders, but people set out to purchase the goods daily instead of weekly. “It is the responsibility of the people to abide by the orders. No matter how much you say, a few don’t listen at all. Law will take its course from now on. The state has extended as much cooperation as possible, but if the people fail to utilise it, there is no choice but to enforce the order stringently,” the chief minister told reporters here.

Despite his instructions in a video conference with the district collectors on March 26 to deliver the cash at doorstep, it remains unclear as to why the authorities allowed crowding near PDS outlets when the distribution began on Wednesday.

The Union home ministry has directed states to take strong action against violators of prohibitory orders.

Palaniswami said the government had been patient, and added that the order was not to harass people but to protect everyone. “It is a deadly infectious disease. A few people playfully move on two-wheelers and cars unaware of the impact of the disease. Doctors say there is no vaccine for the virus infection,” he said, seeking the support of people for lockdown measures against the spread of Covid-19. The government has filed 45,000 cases of violations so far. At least 50,393 people were arrested and let out on bail, and 37,760 vehicles were seized. Police registered 92 cases for spreading rumours on coronavirus and arrested

95. “Even as majority of the commercial and industrial establishments are under closure due to lockdown, affecting the GST collection severely, the state government would not resort to salary cuts of its staff for now,” the CM said. He announced ₹3,000 cash support for accredited journalists.

It is the responsibility of the people to abide by the orders. No matter how much you say, a few don’t listen at all. Law will take its course from now on. There is no choice but to enforce the order

Edappadi K Palaniswami | CM

‘Door delivery of relief not possible’

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government told Madras high court that door-to-door distribution of Covid-19 relief materials to ration card holders in the state is practically impossible as electronic machines which store such records cannot be moved from place to place. However, measures to maintain social distancing at the time of distribution of such essential items are being followed by opening sufficient number of distribution centres, additional advocate-general PH Arvindh Pandian said. The government made the submission on the PIL moved by advocate G Rajesh seeking door-to-door distribution such materials to avoid crowding in PDS shops in view of Covid-19 outbreak. Recording the submissions, the bench directed the state to file a detailed counter affidavit and adjourned the hearing to April 9. TNN