'Punjab govt will not relax lockdown till May 3': CM Capt. Amarinder Singh

Punjab government on Sunday said it will t relax lockdown till May 3 and any decision on way forward will be taken after an expert committee set up to formulate state's lockdown exit plan submits its report.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has directed deputy commissioners to ensure strict enforcement of curfew in all districts and check availability of essential items, according to a government statement.

He also asked officials to t issue curfew passes during month of Ramzan, which begins next week.

Amid concerns that hygiene conditions in mandis were t up to mark, Singh has also ordered a health audit of se centres, where 185 lakh metric tonnes of wheat is expected to arrive till June, when procurement will come to an end.

This will infuse around Rs 35,000 crore, including cash credit limit payment of Rs 26,000 crore received from Centre, into state ecomy, thus giving it much-needed support for fighting COVID-19 battle effectively.

He asked deputy commissioners to take firm steps to ensure that re is crowding at grocery stores and or shops selling essentials and all rms of social distancing are strictly hered to.

According to an official spokesperson, chief minister has me it clear that all efforts at moment should be focused on saving lives.

Any decision on way forward will be taken after May 3, taking into account situation prevailing n and report of an expert committee set up to formulate state's lockdown exit strategy. committee is expected to submit its report this week.

Any violation of government orders shall invite criminal proceedings under relevant provisions of Disaster Manment Act, 2005, and Indian Penal Code, chief minister warned.

Im Credits: PTI