TURA/NONGPOH, May 23: Bringing partial relief to the citizens amidst the ten-day total curfew till June 1 in West Garo Hills, the district administration on Sunday announced relaxation on three days of the week with fixed timings for people to have access to essential commodities.
As per the order issued in this regard by West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh, locality grocery shops, vegetable vendors, meat vendors and milk booths have been allowed to open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 am to 1 pm, in consultation with the local development committee concerned and in coordination with the Tura Municipal Board (TMB) for urban areas. The same arrangement is being made available for rural areas as well which is to be facilitated by market committees along with Block Development Officers (BDO) concerned.
In this regard, retailers have been directed to lift the essential items from wholesalers designated by the Supply Office from 5 AM to 9 AM on the same three days.
Those engaged in home delivery services have been allowed on all weekdays provided that the produce valid passes issued by the office of the Deputy Commissioner. Meanwhile, fair price shops have also been allowed to open on all weekdays from 8 am to 1 pm in all the localities and villages under the district.
The order, however, puts in place certain conditions to be maintained during the relaxation which include, one person from each household coming out to purchase the essential items, mandatory wearing masks, strict maintenance of social distancing, the setting of barriers in front of shops to prevent entry of customers and that there is no overcrowding.
Meanwhile, the order also stated that private and public passenger transports are not allowed during the relaxation.
Ri Bhoi DC’s order
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi, in a statement, informed that during the period of total curfew essential shops are not allowed to open, except those which have been identified by the Headman.
However, the select retailers are not permitted to leave their villages for refilling the stock, the statement said, adding that identified wholesalers will be issued passes for refilling the stock.
