AGARTALA / NEW DELHI, April 14 (TIWN): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation today on Lockdown extension decision, however, one day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb signaled a 50% start of Govt sectors and markets keeping the social distancing issue in mind. The decision was taken to save the economy of the state. “50% markets to be opened in roster system and in industrials sector also get a kick”, he said mentioning about social distances with transport movement organizing.“Govt is deciding on that so that Tripura does not lag behind and Economy does not drop. Also administrative level persons will join offices. In Govt offices from Secretary to Officer level it will be decided how to start offices in roster system”, he added. He also mentioned that the free ratioing system to be continued as announced.

The Chief Minister urged people to work harder than before to restore everything, keeping Social Distance on top priority.

“Suppose we have 30 employees instead of 60 due to roster system. Those 30 employees must try to work double and mitigate the gap”, said CM.

Now, states are eyeing for Prime Minister’s announcement. Before today’s decision, Tripura Health Secretary Debasish Basu announced that Govt will aim to have 50% production in Bodhjunganagar industrial sector. At the same time, two days ahead of the lockdown’s slated end, the government has permitted over 15 types of industries to start their work with minimum manpower and distancing norms on a single shift basis.

These include those involved in manufacturing of heavy electrical items like transformers and circuit vehicles, telecom equipment and components including optic fiber cable, compressor and condenser units, steel and ferrous alloy mills, spinning and ginning mills, power looms, and defence and defence ancillary units.

Cement plants, however, can run in three shifts as cement production is a continuous process.

Pulp and paper units can resume their production in clusters where Covid-19 cases are low based on the data by the state authorities, said a Home Ministry direction issued to all state and Union Territory Chief Secretaries.

Fertiliser plants, paints and dyes manufacturing, all types of food and beverages, seeds processing units, plastic manufacturing units, automotive units, gems and jewellery sector units, all units in Special Economic Zones and Export Oriented Units have also been exempted from nationwide lockdown measures.

The Home Ministry instructed that the Development Commissioners will be given responsibility for ensuring sanitation and distancing norms.

District authorities will monitor and ensure that those sectors which are allowed exemption from lockdown need to adhere to safety, sanitation and distancing norms.

The government issued the instructions in view of maintaining a supply chain of essential goods for the welfare of during the lockdown period.

Total 2 cases have been tested positive in Tripura with COVID19 source from Tripura Sundari Express which landed on 19th March, 2020. Both the patients’ health conditions are stable.