Transportation of essential goods including newspaper delivery are allowed: Ajay Bhalla, Union Home Secretary

The Centre on Sunday clarified to states that the “newspaper delivery chain is also allowed under print media” in the list of essential items permitted to function in the 21-day lockdown period.

Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla wrote to chief secretaries of states and Union Territories on Sunday listing “delivery of news papers” among the list of “essential items” during the restrictions.

“With the issue of first addendum, newspaper delivery supply chain under print media, transportation of all goods without distinction of essential and non-essential, pension under exemptions to clause 2(g), includes pension and provident fund services provided by Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO),” the order stated.


Besides newspapers, the government allowed services of Indian Red Cross Society. “Groceries include hygiene products such as hand washes, soaps, disinfectants, body wash, shampoos, surface cleaners, detergents, tissue papers, toothpaste, oral care, sanitary pads, diapers, battery cells, chargers. Entire supply chain of milk collection and distribution including its packaging material is allowed,” it reads.