Mamata hints at partial relaxation for transport sector, allowing some industries to operate

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said her government is exploring the option of granting a partial relaxation to the transport sector and allowing some industries to operate with a small workforce amid the ongoing lockdown to combat the coronavirus outbreak.

After a meeting with trade and industry representatives, Banerjee said the state government is contemplating the idea of minimal transportation like giving a go-ahead to taxis to hit the streets again, but carrying not more than four persons, including the driver.

"We have already allowed home delivery of food and other goods.... Some kind of transportation is needed (for the movement of various goods) but not in a mass manner.

"But whatever we do, it has to be done honouring the lockdown for the sake of human lives," she said.

The state government is also thinking of allowing certain industries to operate with a small number of workers inside factories, Banerjee said, adding, "Hand sanitisers and masks should be made compulsory for them."
On the financial relief measures sought by certain sections of the industry, Banerjee said, "Our hands are tied. We have to repay a large amount every year towards central government loans. It is not possible to give any concession like relief on electricity duty."