In the 68 days since the nationwide lockdown was imposed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the Union Home Ministry on an average issued 1.3 orders per day. As on Sunday, as many as 94 orders, guidelines, addenda and letters have been issued by the MHA to the States pertaining to the lockdown. Local-level leewayUnder the DM Act, the States and district authorities can frame their own rules on the basis of broad guidelines issued by the MHA. After over 50 days into the extended lockdown, the Railways started running Shramik Special trains for the migrant workers. Meanwhile the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) are yet to receive orders from the MHA on what comprises ‘swadeshi’ or indigenous products.

Source: The Hindu May 31, 2020 17:41 UTC