All the Union ministers were asked to resume work from Monday (April 13) and map plans for the post-lockdown period to kick-start the economy.
New Delhi| As the nation awaits the official announcement regarding the lockdown, all union ministers have resumed office in the respective ministries from Monday to plan for the post-lockdown period.
The officers in all ministries of the rank of the joint secretary and above will return work in their respective departments, the sources said.
Meaning, one-third of the essential staff members in all ministry has to be present.
“The government has desired that all officers who are entitled to official transport facility will come to office from Monday i.e. officers of the level of SAG (Joint Secretary) or higher,” a source said.
The ministers will resume working from their offices from April 14, since Monday is Baisakhi.
The govt is concentrating on hotspots of COVID-19 to contain the spread of the virus and is making efforts to kickstart the economy once the lockdown is over, sources said.
Health, Finance, Rural Development and Agriculture among other ministries were working even during the lockdown, however, activities of others were restricted, sources said.
The govt was still working during the lockdown, however, now it is scaling up its actions. The idea is to ease the process of lifting of lockdown so that the ensuing period is hassle-free and the government has started doing its homework for the same, an official said.
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News18 reported that the government said there could be some relaxation of curbs for agriculture and its allied activities as harvesting season is about to start. There is also a view that those large industries or plants which can house their workers within their premises might be allowed to operate.
Farmers and industry bodies have sought certain exemptions from the lockdown to carry out necessary activities.
The possibility of easing restraints on inter-district transport, railways and airways at this moment seem slim and these are likely to remain for some more time.
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