Some small-scale biz units begin work in Ramgarh

TNN | Apr 22, 2020, 06:00 IST

Patratu: Sonu Kumar, who owns a brick factory located on the outskirts of Patratu, heaved a sigh of relief as he his unit began production from Tuesday.
The complete lockdown since March 25 had started creating a sense of panic among small-scale businessman like him in rural areas as they usually invest most of their savings in their businesses. But with the conditional relaxation of lockdown norms since Monday, Ramgarh district, declared as green zone with no Covid-19 cases so far, is slowly trying to limp back to normalcy.
Kumar said, “All five workers in my factory are from the deprived class and they could not afford the shutdown. Hence, I used to pay them continuously despite no work on humanitarian grounds. It brought me immense relief that I can begin production now.” However, larger industries like beer production plants, cement manufacturing units and food processing units have not begun their operations yet.
Many residents, too, were also seen trying to get back to their daily routine. While some started morning and evening walks, several others were seen taking out their vehicles in the town area to carry on with their normal businesses.
However, many people in the villages are still unaware of the exemptions and continue to remain in lockdown mode. Vinod Saw, a shopkeeper at a local market here, said, “I do not know about exemptions given from Monday. Till I am informed officially, I will keep my shop closed.”
The villagers have not removed blockades from entry and exit points of their areas. Harish Karmali, a villager of Palani on the outskirts of Patratu said, “I do not know about the exemptions given and even if area, entry of people from outside will be barred until the coronavirus pandemic ends.”
Their urban counterparts also preferred to stay indoors because of the lockdown amid apprehensions of the rising Covid-19 cases across the state.
Deputy commissioner Sandeep Singh had on Monday said urban areas will continue to be under lockdown until May 3 but exceptions are given to industrial and agricultural activities in rural areas besides regular movements of good carrying vehicles.