Panvel collector orders APMC to keep Vashi market open amid lockdown; warns legal action

In a major relief to residents of Mumbai, Panvel's district collector on Friday has ordered Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) to keep markets open as it deals with essential services. collector has highlighted that people will face a short of foodgrains, vegetables etc if APMC goes ahe with shutting down markets. Moreover, district collector has threatened action on APMC under Epidemics Act if it continues with shutdown from April 11.

Panvel collector threatens action on APMC

Tamil Nu & Punjab mull extending lockdown post-April 14 ahe of PM Modi's CM conference

APMC shut amid COVID-19

On Thursday, APMC anunced that y have decided to shut vegetables, fruits, and onion and potato markets at Vashi’s APMC market from 11th April till furr orders, due to rising COVID-19 cases in Navi Mumbai. APMC - Mumbai's largest wholesale market in Vashi was reopened on March 25, immediately after lockdown was imposed. Currently, Mumbai which has seen highest number of cases - 713, has amounted to Maharashtra's tally of 1364 Coronavirus (COVID-19) positive cases.

Vashi's APMC market partially shut from April 11 over COVID-19 spre in Navi Mumbai

Trucks offloed in Vashi

On March 28, Republic TV h reported that several trucks have offloed, replenishing supplies for groceries, oil, vegetables at APMC, which h suffered from a short previously. But due to stor facilities available, several trucks h been stranded at APMC since March 20. government, which has ensured supply of essential services throughout lockdown h opened two largest markets in city Dar and Byculla.

BMC shuts all vegetable & fruit shops in two wards after 'containment violation' by people

Maharashtra under lockdown

On March 14, Thackeray government invoked Epidemic Diseases Act declaring Coronavirus as an epidemic - declaring all gyms, swimming pools, malls, atres, pubs shut in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur, Pimpri-Chinchw till March 31 amid rising cases of Coronavirus. With railways shutting down its services on March 22 marking 'Janta Curfew', Maharashtra government extended a state-wide curfew, stopping all transport services across districts. After PM Modi anuncing a 21-day lockdown, Maharashtra too enforced same, witnessing highest cases -1135, with 97 deaths.

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