Essential item stores can remain open 24x7 in Rajasthan

JAIPUR: The state government has issued directions to all collectors to ensure regular supply of food items to people during the lockdown period.
Food and civil supplies secretary Siddharth Mahajan said shops selling groceries, essential commodities and medicines could remain open 24x7 in the state. But persons coming to grocery stores cannot come with vehicles.

“People can go to grocery stores on foot or on bicycles,” the secretary said, adding door-to-door and online deliveries should be encouraged so that people need not go to the market for their daily needs during this period.
Mahajan said proper distance between customers would have to be maintained at grocery stores and pharmacies by shopkeepers or through local bodies or police. During this period, more than five people cannot gather in one place.
Mahajan said permission should be given for door-to-door sale of fruits and vegetables. “But only one family member will be allowed to purchase the items,” he added. He said cycle rickshaws and e-rickshaw will be allowed for home deliveries so that they can earn some money.
He said the local district administration should coordinate with the local bodies and police and talk to trade associations and encourage them for maximum door-to-door delivery. He said there was no area where home delivery could not be arranged. Cooperative consumer stores should ensure that essential items are sold through mobile shops for adequate supply of daily use items.
Mahajan informed that a committee had been constituted under the chairmanship of the district collector to streamline distribution of materials to the public in the state.
He said the instructions had been issued by the medical and health department which have to be followed by the personnel and drivers employed for operating mobile shops. The list of wholesalers will be made available to all the retailers in the district so that they can get materials.