MHA directs states to implement agriculture exemptions

 Taking note of failures in implementation of lockdown exemptions in agriculture sector, the Home Ministry on Friday directed the states to communicate with all field agencies about the move.

"With a view to ensure smooth harvesting and sowing operations, while maintaining social distancing, it is requested that the exceptions allowed for agriculture sector must be communicated to all field agencies," Home Seretary Ajay Bhalla wrote in a missive to Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories.

Referring to March 27 guidelines, he said: "Though exceptions have been allowed for farming operations by farmers and farm workers, procurement of agricultural productions, operation of Mandis, movement of harvesting and sowing related machinery, however, as per information received, these exceptions have not percolated down at the field level."

The Home Ministry's March 27 guidelines exempted additional categories related to agricultural operations under the Disaster Management Act, with respect to the 21-day lockdown.

As per the guidelines, exemption was given to the farm workers in the fields and farming operations by farmers, agencies engaged in procurement of agriculture products including MSPs, mandis notified by the state governments, inter and intra-state movement of harvesting and sowing related machines and manufacturing, packaging units of fertilisers, pesticides and seeds, among others. During the 21-day lockdown, public transport has been restricted while markets, schools, and other establishment have been closed. Only essential services and goods are allowed. IANS