With the start ofholy month of Ramadhan, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday orderedreopening of bakery shops and allowed home delivery of dry fruits in the entireUnion Territory.
These steps weretaken on directions of Lieutenant Governor Girish Chander Murmu following theinclusion of these two businesses in the list of permitted business in thegovernment of India notification.
As per an officialorder issued by the government of India Secretary Simrandeep Singh, J&Kadministration issued direction to UT’s all district deputy commissioners topermit above two businesses.
“Incontinuation of instructions and SOPs issued by the state executive committee,I am further directed to convey to you that following items may also bepermitted to function, subject to the condition of maintaining socialdistancing and after obtaining passes from deputy commissioners”, he saidin a directive to DCs on Friday.
The permitteditems are bakery shops (without being used as cafeteria or restaurant) and onlyhome delivery of dry fruits (without opening shops), he said.
These steps havebeen done in view of start of holy month of Ramadhan from Saturday, officialssaid.
Some dry fruitsmerchants pointed out that Jammu and Kashmir consumes lot of dry fruits duringthis month and organised whole sale is there only in cities of Jammu andSrinagar capital cities.
“Majority ofcommunity stays in villages. Delivery of dry fruits without opening shops isimpossible in such villages,” a shop keeper said.
Keeping in mindthese realities, and after public interaction, Lieutenant Governor of JammuKashmir issued written directives to open dry fruit shops and sale whileobserving social distancing, officials said.MHA guidelines also give freedom to define fooditems, they said.