Odisha CM writes to PM on goods across states through inter-state borders in view of lockdown

Bhubaneswar, March 25: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik today wrote a letter to the PM Narendra Modi on movement of goods across states through inter-state borders. Patnaik mentioned that movement of goods may be permitted seamlessly across the country without any differentiation as there are long queues of couple of kms in the inter-state borders “I would like to draw your attention to one issue of nationwide ramification, i.e. movement of goods across States through inter-state borders. As of now it has been announced that all transport services except transportation of essential goods will remain suspended. I am of the view that differentiation of goods as essential and non-essential will lead to discretion, corruption and dislocation at check gate level. It may lead to chaos and affect the movement of essential goods as well. In fact I understand there are long queues extending to couple of kilometres in the inter-state borders,” read the letter. The CM further wrote that a it is difficult to prepare a comprehensive list of essential and non-essential goods and get it enforced practically at the field level. “Hence, I suggest that movement of goods may be permitted seamlessly across the country without any differentiation, in order to avoid clogging at the check gates that may adversely impact supply of essential goods. I would request you to take a decision in this matter on an urgent basis. The biggest challenge for the country will be to ensure availability of goods across the country especially in view of the lockdown,” said the CM in t he letter.