Rajasthan to be under 'complete lockdown' till March 31, says Ashok Gehlot

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday announced a "complete lockdown" in the state, except for essential services, till March 31, in an effort to contain the Coronavirus outbreak. In a series of tweets, he directed all offices — government and private — malls, shops, factories to be closed and ordered a shutdown of public transport services. India will be under a self-imposed lockdown on Sunday, as part of PM Narendra Modi's 'Janta Curfew'.

Ashok Gehlot also informed that a core group has been set up headed by Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Home, Rajeev Swarup, to look into all the problems faced by people during the lockdown period. "This core group will also ensure the poor and deprived face no scarcity of rations and food items. It will ensure compliance of all orders too," Gehlot said in a tweet.

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Relief measures for the poor

The state government will also release a pension of two months of social security scheme beneficiaries by the first week of April. For the urban poor, the CM announced that non-NFSA beneficiaries will be given food aid for two months starting April.

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Coronavirus pandemic

So far, at least 25 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Rajasthan and reports of 40 others are awaited. As per official data, 337 cases have been detected in the country so far with four deaths. Worldwide, over three lakh people have been infected by the Coronavirus while the death toll is fast reaching the 13,000 mark.

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