Rajasthan government allows firms to manufacture essentials

JAIPUR: The state government has allowed manufacturers of essentials to operate their factories for ensuring supply continuity in the lockdown period. As per a notification, the willing units are required to take permission from the district authorities or RIICO and follow a long list of conditions aimed at insulating the operations from coronavirus.
The industries department, that initially allowed the processing of oil, flour and daal, has now expanded the list essentials that include drugs, pharmaceutical and medical devices and their raw materials and intermediaries.Manufacturing units of packaging material for food items, drugs and other essential commodities and devices, manufacturing and packaging units for fertilizers, pesticides and seeds are also included in the list.
A senior official of the industries department said close to 400 units have sought permission to start their operation to manufacture products listed in the essentials list.
While additional chief secretary, department of Industries, Subodh Agarwal did not provide the exact number of units that have sought permission, but he said, “Industries department in accordance with the advisory from Central and state home ministry, is granting permission to these industries.”
He said that while granting the permission, the industries department will strictly follow all advisories which are issued at different times by state and Central governments and as per instructions, the industries will have to ensure availability of medicated sanitisers, soaps, masks and important safety equipment in working areas apart from availability of all daily requirements of living for the workers living on their residential premises. “Industries will have to provide complete sanitization and fumigation while taking care of social distancing and contact-less transfer of goods from one person to another.
As per advisory, industries will have to inform the administration about any outbreak of viral infection, fever, cold and cough and any other infection for earliest medical screening,” added Agarwal. Industries commissioner Muktanand Agrawal said RIICO will provide necessary pass, permit, and permission letter to industries operating in RIICO while general manager of District Industries Centers will provide the permission to industries operational outside RIICO boundaries. Source, said 88 units have contacted so far.