D.O.No. 07/DPIIT/2020-Secy
Government of India
Deptt. for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi-110 011
Tel. : 23061815, 23061667 Fax 23061598
E-mail : [email protected]
23rd March, 2020
Dear Chief Secretary,
In the wake of precautions being taken by various states for prevention of COVID 19 through Lockdowns and various other precautionary measures, it is seen necessary to issue clear instructions from DPIIT to State Authorities to not obstruct and call for closure of food processing units, since they manufacture food stuff and to maintain uninterrupted supply for citizens of our country.
2. In this context, following instructions are issued for ensuring operational viability and to maintain uninterrupted supply of food products for citizens.
(i) Food Processing Companies: For the consumer items to be readily available in the all food processing companies should be allowed to keep their Manufacturing facilities open under the strictest of safety and hygiene guidelines and any executive order or section 144 restrictions should include the exemption of these manufacturing facilities, distribution and sales channels servicing the food and beverage market. including food delivery services, as also employees associated with such activities.
(ii) All Retail/Grocery, Organised Trade including Cash & Carry and wholesale, Chemists/Pharmacies that stock and sell Food products, Medicines, VVater etc. should be allowed to remain open to avoid inconvenience to consumers as also to PREVENT ‘panic buying’ which was clearly mentioned by the Flora:Ile PM in his national address.
(iii) Allow the workers! operators at Retail outlets. Pharmacies, Manufacturing units to travel to their units in discharge of their national responsibilities.
(iv) Transport vehicles carrying Raw material, Intermediates to and from the Food Processing Units to be given due permission and this to be explicitly included in the focal Administration orders to avoid any confusion
(v) Clear advisory to ensure inter-state movement of goods for the food processing industry to ensure uninterrupted movement and supply of goods and services; Specifically for e-commerce, food processing delivery boys, and movement of trucks.
3. Your attention to this item of work will go a long way in maintaining requisite flow of essential goods, preventing panic purchase and ensuring we all keep safe in these challenging times.
With warm regards.
Yours sincerely,
(Guruprasad Mohapatra)
To
The Chief Secretary [All states]
The Administrator [All UTs]
(as per list attached)
