MHA ORDER DT. 30.9.2020 ON GUIDELINES FOR RE-OPENING

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 MHA ISSUES NEW GUIDELINES FOR RE-OPENING

Ministry of Home Affairs

MHA ISSUES NEW GUIDELINES FOR RE-OPENING

GIVES FLEXIBILITY TO STATES UTS FOR OPENING OF SCHOOLS

OPENS UP MORE ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE CONTAINMENT ZONES

STRICT ENFORCEMENT OF LOCKDOWN IN CONTAINMENT ZONES

TILL 31ST OCTOBER 2020

Posted On: 30 SEP 2020 7:56PM by PIB Delhi

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued new guidelines today, for opening up of more activities in areas outside the Containment Zones. In these guidelines, which will come into effect from October 1, 2020, the process of re-opening of activities has been extended further. The new guidelines, issued today, are based on feedback received from States and UTs, and extensive consultations held with related Central Ministries and Departments. 

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE NEW GUIDELINES

Activities permitted from 15^th October 2020, in areas outside the Containment Zones

·         Cinemas/ theatres/ multiplexes will be permitted to open with upto 50% of their seating capacity, for which, SOP will be issued by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.

·         Business to Business (B2B) Exhibitions will be permitted to open, for which, SOP will be issued by the Department of Commerce.

·         Swimming pools being used for training of sportspersons will be permitted to open, for which the standard operating procedure (SOP) will be issued by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MoYA&S). 

·         Entertainment parks and similar places will be permitted to open, for which the SOP will be issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW).

Opening of Schools, colleges, education institutions and coaching institutions

·         For re-opening of schools and coaching institutions, State/ UT Governments have been given the flexibility to take a decision after 15^th October 2020, in a graded manner.  The decision shall be taken in consultation with the respective school/ institution management, based on their assessment of the situation, and subject to the following conditions:

o    Online/ distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged.

o    Where schools are conducting online classes, and some students prefer to attend online classes rather than physically attend school, they may be permitted to do so.

o    Students may attend schools/ institutions only with the written consent of parents.

o    Attendance must not be enforced, and must depend entirely on parental consent.

o    States /UTs will prepare their own SOP regarding health and safety precautions for reopening of schools/ institutions based on the SOP to be issued by Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, Government of India, keeping local requirements in view.

o    Schools, which are allowed to open, will have to mandatorily follow the SOP to be issued by Education Departments of States/ UTs.

·         Department of Higher Education (DHE), Ministry of Education may take a decision on the timing of the opening of Colleges/ Higher Education Institutions, in consultation with Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), based on the assessment of the situation. Online/ distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged.

o    However, Higher Education Institutions only for research scholars (Ph.D) and post-graduate students in science and technology stream requiring laboratory/ experimental works will be permitted to open from 15^th October, 2020, as under:

      i.        For Centrally Funded Higher Education Institutions, the Head of Institution will satisfy herself/ himself that there is a genuine requirement of research scholars (Ph.D) and post-graduate students in science and technology stream for laboratory/experimental works.

    ii.        For all other Higher Education Institutions e.g. State Universities, Private Universities etc., they may open only for research scholars (Ph.D) and postgraduate students in science and technology stream requiring laboratory/experimental works as per decision to be taken by the respective State/UT Governments.

Regulation of gatherings

·         Social/ academic/ sports/ entertainment/ cultural/ religious/ political functions and other congregations have already been permitted with a ceiling of 100 persons, outside Containment Zones only.  Now State/ UT Governments have been given the flexibility to permit such gatherings beyond the limit of 100 persons, outside Containment Zones, after 15^th October 2020, which will be subject to the following conditions:

o    In closed spaces, a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity will be allowed, with a ceiling of 200 persons. Wearing of face masks, maintaining social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and use of hand wash or sanitizer will be mandatory.

o    In open spaces, keeping the size of the ground/ space in view, and with strict observance of social distancing, mandatory wearing of face masks, provision for thermal scanning and hand wash or sanitizer.

To ensure that such gatherings do not spread COVID-19, State/ UT Governments will issue detailed SOPs to regulate such gathering, and strictly enforce the same.

·         All activities, except the following, shall be permitted outside containment zones: 

      i.        International air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA.

·         Lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till 31^st October, 2020.

·         Containment Zones shall be demarcated by the District authorities at micro level after taking into consideration the guidelines of MoHFW with the objective of effectively breaking the chain of transmission. Strict containment measures will be enforced in these containment zones and only essential activities will be allowed.

·         Within the containment zones, strict perimeter control shall be maintained and only essential activities allowed. 

·         These Containment Zones will be notified on the websites of the respective District Collectors and by the States/ UTs and information will also be shared with MOHFW.

States not to impose any local lockdown outside Containment Zones

·         State/ UT Governments shall not impose any local lockdown (State/ District/ sub-division/City/ village level), outside the containment zones, without prior consultation with the Central Government.

No restriction on Inter-State and intra-State movement

·         There shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be required for such movements.

National Directives for COVID-19 management

·         National Directives for COVID-19 management shall continue to be followed throughout the country, with a view to ensure social distancing.  Shops will need to maintain adequate physical distancing among customers. MHA will monitor the effective implementation of National Directives.

Protection for vulnerable persons

·         Vulnerable persons, i.e., persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years, are advised to stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes.

Use of Aarogya Setu

·         The use of Aarogya Setu mobile application will continue to be encouraged.

NW/RK/PK/DDD (Release ID: 1660432) 

Protest demonstration on 23rd September, 2020 against the anti worker destructive polices of the Government of India

 

Protest demonstration on 23rd September, 2020 against the anti worker destructive polices of the Government of India

 

 REMEMBRANCE DAY OF 1968 STRIKE  

 MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS

INDIA POST LAUNCHES FIVE STAR VILLAGES SCHEME TO ENSURE 100% RURAL COVERAGE OF POSTAL SCHEMES

GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS TO LEAD PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ON POSTAL SERVICES

SCHEME TO BE IMPLEMENTED NATION-WIDE, BASED ON MAHARASHTRA EXPERIENCE: SANJAY DHOTRE

Posted On: 10 SEP 2020 4:18PM by PIB Mumbai

Mumbai, 10 September 2020

 

The Department of Posts has launched a scheme called Five Star Villages, to ensure universal coverage of flagship postal schemes in rural areas of the country. The scheme seeks to bridge the gaps in public awareness and reach of postal products and services, especially in interior villages. All postal products and services will be made available and marketed and publicized at village level, under the Five Star Villages scheme. Branch offices will function as one-stop shop to cater all post office - related needs of villagers. The schemes covered under the Five Star scheme include: i) Savings Bank accounts, Recurrent Deposit Accounts, NSC / KVP certificates, ii) Sukanya Samridhi Accounts/ PPF Accounts, iii) Funded Post Office Savings Account linked India Post Payments Bank Accounts, iv) Postal Life Insurance Policy/Rural Postal Life Insurance Policy and v) Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana Account / Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana Account.

If a village attains universal coverage for four schemes from the above list, then that village gets four-star status; if a village completes three schemes, then that village get three-star status and so on.

Launching the scheme, the Union Minister of State for Communications, Shri Sanjay Dhotre said that the scheme is being launched on pilot basis in Maharashtra; based on the experience here, it will be implemented nation-wide. “Postman and Postal Department are a vital part of the ordinary citizen's life. India Post has been serving the people in an extraordinary way in the difficult situation which has emerged due to COVID-19, by bringing them medicines and financial assistance. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi not only brought schemes, but has been ensuring their effective implementation as well. The Postal Department has been playing a major role in the implementation of Government schemes, leveraging the immense strength of its vast network. Postal schemes are known for providing highly secured deposits, they provide higher return of interest with low risk.” The Minister said that the way to realize the goal of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat is through collaborative efforts such as this, wherein various schemes have been brought together under one umbrella, with the goal of providing financial inclusion.

The entire state of Maharashtra will be covered under the scheme. To begin with, two rural districts / areas for each region have been identified: Akola and Washim in Nagpur Region; Parbhani and Hingoli in Aurangabad Region; Solapur and Pandharpur in Pune Region; Kolhapur and Sangli in Goa Region; and Malegaon and Palghar in Navi Mumbai Region. A total of 50 villages in each district will be covered during the current financial year 2020-2021. Regional offices will identify the villages to be covered.

Scheme Implementation Team

The scheme will be implemented by a team of five Gramin Dak Sevaks who will be assigned a village for marketing of all products, savings and insurance schemes of the Department of Posts. This team will be headed by the Branch Post Master of the concerned Branch Office. Mail overseer will keep personal watch on progress of team on daily basis. The teams will be led and monitored by concerned Divisional Head, Assistant Superintendents Posts and Inspector Posts.

Campaign

The team of Gramin Dak Sevaks will conduct door-to-door awareness campaign on all schemes, covering all eligible villagers. Wide publicity will be given by displaying the information on notice board of Branch Office. Prominent places of targeted villages like Panchayat Offices, schools, village dispensaries, bus depots, markets will also be used for advertising and pamphlets will be distributed. Small melas will be organized, considering COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Training and Monitoring

Required training and infrastructure, covering all schemes, would be provided to all branch offices in identified villages. The scheme progress and target achievement will be closely monitored at Circle, Regional and Divisional levels. Monthly progress will be reviewed by the Chief Post Master General.

The Chief Post Master General of Maharashtra Circle and Goa State, Shri Harish Chandra Agrawal assured the Minister that Maharashtra will provide a fine example in successful implementation of Five Star Villages Scheme, paving the way for the national roll-out of the scheme later. Director General (Posts), Shri Vineet Pandey; and Postmaster General, Mumbai Region, Ms Swati Pandey also attended the online launch.       DJM/RT/DR (Release ID: 1653010) 

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National Federation of Postal Employees endorse the call of Confederation and Central Trade Unions to organize protest demonstration on 23rd September 2020 against anti worker, anti people destructive policies of the government of India.

           Please go through the Circulars of Confederation and Central Trade Unions and publicize among all classes of workers and employees to conduct protest demonstrations at all work places during lunch hours on 23rd September-2020 after observing all Covid-19 related norms.

                R N Parashar

               Secretary General NFPE

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 No. Confd./Circular-2020                                                  Dated : 11^th September,2020

CIRCULAR

To

            All National Secretariat Members,

            All General Secretaries of COCs,

            All Chief Executives of All Constituent Organizations

Dear Comrades,

We send herewith the circular letter from the Central Trade Unions dated 9^th September  2020, which is self- explanatory.   As could be seen there-form, the Central Trade Unions have decided to organise a demonstration on 23^rd September, 2020 against the anti worker destructive polices of the Government of India. 

Over the very many incidents that have taken place in the country, it appears that the Government has decided to take advantage of the corona Covid 19 pandemic in the country to push through some of the objectionable policies which affects the working class in general and the Central Government employees in particular. 

(a)  The dearness allowance due from 1.1.2020 to 1.07.2021 has not only been freezed but has been decided to be denied to the employees and pensioners.

(b)  The restructuring of the Banking sector reducing the presence of the PSU banks in the country

(c)  Closure of defence production establishments

(d)  Privatisation of coal mines; air ports;

(e)  Privatisation of the oldest governmental establishment of Railways; its production units and maintenance.

(f)   Direction giving unfettered powers to the bureaucracy to enforce the provisions of FR 56-J to retrench the services of senior employees;

(g)  The enlargement of NPS;

(h)  The new recruiting procedures as against the regional recruitment demanded by the employees organisations etc.

Besides all these, the Government has now chosen the two organisations  affiliated to the Confederation, i.e. NFPE and ITEF for selected attack.  In both the cases, the recognition granted to these federation are sought to be withdrawn on flimsy, untenable grounds.  The ITEF apprehends that the new scheme is bound to result in large scale redundancy and consequent retrenchment or redeployment.  In the case of NFPE,  the re-recognition is stated to be possible only if they amend certain provisions of the constitution of its affiliated Associations.  Similarly the Government had been sitting on the proposal of recognition submitted by many unions and Federation of Central Government employees, giving room for the bureaucracy to do whatever they like in administering these departmental organisations. 

Apart from the above attacks, the Government has not been responding to innumerable representations the Confederation had been making in respect of providing treatment to the Central Government employees who are afflicted with the deadly virus corona covid 19.  While the private hospitals are allowed to charge exorbitantly  the government reimburses only a paltry amount to these unfortunate employees. 

It is, therefore, highly necessary that we form part of the struggle of the working people in the country against these policies.  We request all affiliates, cocs, and State Committees to take steps to ensure the maximum participation of  the members in the programme slated for 23^rd September, 2020.  The affiliates may kindly prepare pamphlets encompassing all the above issues and enlisting the specific matters concerning their organisation and members.   The State Committees may please prepare leaflets in vernacular and try to reach out as many members as possible. 

 

With greetings,

                                                                               Yours fraternally,

                                                           

R.N. Parashar

                                                            Secretary General

                                               Confederation of CGE & Workers

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