Karnataka govt allows functioning of 38 industries during lockdown

BENGALURU: While COVID-19 cases continue to pile up in the state, the Government of Karnataka has decided to exempt at least 38 categories of industries to function during the week-long lockdown. The move is expected to maintain a balance between the ongoing health and economic crisis and the state’s growth capital. B S Yediyurappa, Chief Minister, Karnataka, had reluctantly ordered the week-long lockdown seeing a surge in COVID cases across the state.

This includes a list of 28 industries classified as essential including rice and oil mills, dairy and food products, bulk drugs, pharmaceuticals, Ayurvedic and homeopathic medicine makers, sanitizers, bakery and confectionary, power generation and even those making paper napkins. Even e-commerce companies for supply of food and grocery have been allowed, according to the notification by Gaurav Gupta, Principal Secretary, Commerce and Industries Department of Karnataka.

“Bengaluru Urban, Rural, Ramanagara, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Tumakuru Districts are considered as one unit for movement & transportation of people from Bengaluru and vice-versa,” the notification added.

The notification allows units in industrial areas and estates in Bengaluru urban and rural districts to operate as in industrial township.

A set of eight industries that are classified under continuous process industries like steel plants, petroleum refinery, cement, fertilizer and textile among others have also been exempted. At least three other districts in Karnataka including Dakshina Kannada, Dharwad and Yadgir have announced week-long lockdowns to contain the spread of the virus.