Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla wrote a letter on Saturday addressed to the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories informing them that there should be no restrictions on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods during the nationwide unlocking phase. The communication has been sent to the officials of all states and UTs after reports from various parts of the country stated that local level restrictions on movement were being imposed in several districts and States. 

Citing the Unlock 3 guidelines, Mr Bhalla stated that restrictions as such have been leading to problems in inter-state movement of goods and services and are in turn causing a negative impact on the supply chains, resulting in an interference and imbalance in economic revival activities and employment. As per the unlock guidelines, there shall be no restrictions on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods, he wrote in the letter.

The guidelines further state that there is no longer a necessity for a separate permission, approval or e-permit for movement of persons and goods for cross-land border trade under treaties with neighbouring nations. The Home Secretary pointed out in his letter that any restrictions imposed will be a clear violation of the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs under provisions of Disaster Management Act, 2005. 

The nationwide lockdown was imposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from March 25 in the wake of the number of rising coronavirus cases and as a means to contain the spread of the fatal infection. The lockdown was subsequently extended till May 31 and on June 1 the unlock process was rolled out, with the opening up of industrial activities and offices across the country.