Punjab lockdown exit strategy report: Freeze DA, wages for current year; recommends expert panel

The High Powered Task Force constituted by Punjab government, to come up with a plan on how to exit lockdown, submitted its Lockdown exit strategy report. Here are some of the recommendations made by the committee headed by the former state chief secretary KR Lakhanpal:

• Industrial and agricultural activities should be allowed to resume the functioning after lockdown is lifted on May 3.
• Freezing of Dearness Allowance (DA) and wages for the current year. The panel said that this will bring pay on par with Haryana and the Centre as Punjab employees get 25% more pay.

• The liquor vends should start immediately to check the loss of revenue.
• The arrears of GST, VAT may be cleared, and also an assurance should be issued to the industrialists that no FIRs will be registered against them.
• The Public Distribution System may be extended to non-ration cardholders and migrants also included as beneficiaries.
• Redraw the budget giving more relaxation to the industry with a view to restarting the economy.

• Increase in testing for the novel coronavirus and upgrade the health infrastructure.
• Divide the state's lockdown exit strategy into health and non-health related objectives.
• To facilitate the construction activity, the entire supply line such as stores/shops supplying hardware, paint, cement, electrical goods, wood, glass, iron and steel, cement etc. should be allowed to operate.
• Must ensure the social net benefits, including old-age pension, are delivered to the eligible persons at their doorstep.