Government Exempts Specific Services related to Agri-Produce Marketing, Anganwadi Workers & AYUSH from Lockdown Restrictions

Amid the nationwide lockdown, the government has been taking several measures to provide every essential item to the doorstep. In response to queries being raised with regard to exemption of specific services under the Consolidated Guidelines on lockdown measures to fight COVID-19 issued by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Union Home Secretary has written to States specifying the details of such services being exempted under the above restrictions. 

In the communication to States, Specific Services exempt under lockdown restrictions are broadly as follows: 

• Direct marketing of agricultural produce

• Food & nutrition support to children, women, lactating mothers by Anganwadi workers

• Medical services & drug manufacturing under AYUSH category

(i) The exception under clause 2(g), include distribution of food items and nutrition support by Anganwadi workers. 

(ii) Mandi' under an exception to clause 2(i). Include direct marketing, facilitated by the Stale Government/UT Administration, directly from the farmers, group of farmers, FPOs Cooperatives, etc.. 

(iii)Hospital and related medical services under clause 3 include 1-AYUSIH services i.e. sale and distribution of drugs. Hospital dispensaries and individual clinics and telemedicine facilities. 

(iv)Manufacturing units under an exception to clause 5(A) include manufacturing of AYUSH drugs. 

(v) Manufacturing units of packaging material under the exception to Clause 5(d) include packaging material of AYUSH drugs.