Maharashtra government partly rolls back order on newspaper delivery

Prafulla Marpakwar | TNN | Updated: Apr 22, 2020, 09:39 IST

Picture used for representational purpose only

MUMBAI: Faced with criticism, the state government on Tuesday partly reversed its order of April 18 prohibiting door-to-door delivery of newspapers. Now, barring MMR and Pune, door-to-door delivery of newspapers will be permitted.
In his order, chief secretary Ajoy Mehta said wherever doorto-door delivery is done, it “shall be with the knowledge of receiver and the delivery of newspaper personnel.” These personnel “shall wear mask and use hand sanitizer and maintain social distance.” But “given the extent of spread of Covid19, door to door delivery of newspapers and magazines is prohibited in MMR, Pune municipal corporation and in all containment zones as may be decided by the district magistrates. In these areas, they may be sold through establishments that are exempted as per the April 17 order.”
A day after PM Modi declared a nationwide lockdown on March 24, the Union home ministry had issued guidelines which stated that print and electronic media would be exempted from the lockdown. When the lockdown was extended up to May 3, MHA again issued guidelines reiterating the point.
The state on April 17 issued its own guidelines but excluded print media from the exempted category. Following a protest, on April 18, guidelines were amended and print media placed in the exempted category, but with a rider – newspapers would be printed but door-to-door delivery was barred. After some journalists’ groups moved Bombay high court against the order and HC issued notices to the state, the move was reversed.