TN to discuss impact of removing restrictions on inter-state travel

TN to discuss impact of removing restrictions on inter-state travel

D.Govardan@timesgroup.com

Chennai  24.08.2020

: Tamil Nadu government is likely to discuss and review the implications of removing restrictions on inter-state movement of people before taking a call as directed by the Union home ministry. The meeting, to be chaired by chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, could take place sometime this week.

In a letter to chief secretaries of various states, Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla on Saturday told state governments that “there shall be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/approval/e-permit will be required for such movement”, as part of the Centre’s Unlock-3 plan. Terming such restrictions as “violation of guidelines”, he requested the states and their district administrations to ensure that “MHA guidelines are strictly followed”.

In the case of Tamil Nadu, it has brought the intra-state travel of individuals under “autoapproved” mode for e-passes since last Monday. But, inter-state travel requires e-passes, strictly regulated, and adhering to quarantine norms. “We have to discuss and decide. As such there is no restriction for goods movement,” a senior official with the state government told TOI.

“If inter-state border is opened for free access, then there is no possibility of contact tracing, if a need arises to monitor people. We have to look at its implication. Even liberalising epass has led to huge movement,” the official said, while adding that the chief minister will have to take a call on the date for the meeting.

The directive from the Centre has nevertheless come as a welcome development for industries, especially MSMEs, who were largely banking on the return of migrant workers to enable companies to scale up production. The state, in a government order on August 21, added manufacturers of automobiles and their components, components for defence and all export units to the list of industries that can operate on Sundays (when intense lockdown is in place in the state).

“The Centre has now directed free movement of people. We have requested the state to permit returning migrant workers, who produce Covid negative certificate from established labs from their place of origin, to resume work. While a fresh test can be taken on arrival, they can be placed under quarantine for a couple of days until the test results come,” M Balachandran, president, Ambattur Industrial Estate Manufacturers’ Association (AIEMA) said.

“If they test negative once again, they should be allowed to report to work. Small units cannot afford to spend on their 14-day quarantine. In addition, we have also requested the government to permit use of the AIEMA convention centre as a quarantine facility for migrant workers,” Balachandran said.

No e-pass system in Puducherry

Puducherry: The Puducherry government has abolished the epass system following directions from the Union government. “There is no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/approval/e-permit will be required for such movements, as per MHA order,” read a message on the Puducherry government’s website. Secretary (home) Ajay Bhalla in an official communication to the chief secretaries of all states and Union territories made an announcement in this regard. TNN