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Bhubaneswar: Soon after the Ministry of Home Affairs relaxed norms for opening of shops in rural and urban areas, Odisha government issued an order and asked Municipal Commissioners and district Collectors to notify details specifying the shops/types of shops to open within the limits of districts, municipal corporations, and urban local bodies.
The State Revenue and Disaster Management department issued a notification citing that for the words "shopping complexes" the words "market complexes" be within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities shall be substituted.
The government has clarified that all shops registered under the Odisha Shops & Commercial Establishments Act, 1956 including shops in residential complexes except shops in multi-brand and single-brand malls, outside the limits of municipal bodies, with 50% strength of workers are allowed to function. But owners, proprietors, and workers of such shops have been asked to compulsorily wear masks and maintain social distancing at all times.
The State government letter has also categorically mentioned that Municipal Commissioners and Collectors shall notify detailed orders specifying the shops/type of shops to open within the limits of Municipal Corporations and ULBs and the districts as well their timings.
All shops in urban areas, including neighbourhood & standalone shops, will reopen with conditions like 50% of workers' strength, wearing of masks & social distancing.
Relaxation is not for the shops in market complexes & multi-brand and single-brand malls.#OdishaFightsCorona https://t.co/J08jS8zhn2
— OTV (@otvnews) April 25, 2020
Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a clarification stating that all shops except shopping malls in rural areas and all standalone shops in urban areas are allowed to open.
The ministry further clarified that sale of liquor and other items continues to be prohibited as specified in the national directives for COVID-19 management.
Earlier in the day, Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi had clarified that decision on implementation of the Central government order in Odisha will be taken by the state government.
"Please await State Government decision on the subject, which will be based on consideration of local situation and requirements. Till there is a decision by the State Government shops, except for those already exempted, will remain closed," tweeted Sarangi.
Amending its April 15 order, the Home Ministry on Friday said, "All shops, including neighbourhood shops and standalone shops, shops in residential complexes, within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, registered under the Shops and Establishment Act of the respective State and UT" will be allowed to open during the lockdown.
However, the order also said that shops in market places, multi-brand and single-brand malls located in municipality areas shall continue to remain closed till May 3.
(With Agency Inputs)
