Lockdown Extended In Haryana Till May 31

Haryana government on Sunday extended the lockdown for another week from May 24 to 31 with major relaxations for the opening of shops.

An order issued by Vijai Vardhan; Chief Secretary-cum Chairman of the State Executive Committee constituted under the Disaster Management Act said, “Mahamari alert Surakshit Haryana” (pandemic alert-safe Haryana) had been extended but certain relaxations had been given.

Now, the standalone shops will remain open except when the night curfew is in place. The other shops will remain open from 7 am to 12 noon on odd-even basis.

While odd number shops will open on odd days, the even number shops will remain open on the even days; the order said adding that shopping malls would remain closed.

Under the lockdown orders a cap; of 11 persons had been enforced for the marriage functions and funerals. The marriages would be allowed to be conducted in either homes or courts with strictly no movement of baraat procession allowed in the state. The movement of only essential services, including hearth; police and emergency and municipal services and services engaged in Covid-19 duty would continue to exempted from these restrictions. 

However, people would be required to get e-passes for any movement within or outside the state.

Haryana to discontinue COVID-19 cess on liquor

Haryana Cabinet approved the State’s excise policy for the year 2021-22 and decided to discontinue the ‘Covid cess’ on sale of liquor; which was imposed in 2020-21 for generating additional revenue in view of the pandemic.

An official statement said the overall excise collection in the financial year 2020-21 was ₹6,792 crore; against the collection of ₹6,361 crore in financial year 2019-20.

The Statement :-

“Despite complete lockdown till first week of May, 2020 and overall economic slowdown for major part of the year 2020-21; excise revenue during the financial year 2020-21 has witnessed growth of 6.69%. Since, the period of allotment of retail vends for 2020-21 will come to an end on May 19, 2021; the growth in excise revenue for policy year 2020-21 is likely to reach 15%.”