Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has written to Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories (UTs), asking them to ensure compliance of new guidelines issued for the extended lockdown till May 31.

"I would urge you to ensure compliance of the new guidelines and direct all concerned authorities for their strict implementation. Further guidelines issued by the MHA and consequent orders issued by the respective state governments/UT administrations should be widely disseminated to the public and to the field functionaries for the convenience of people," Bhalla said on Sunday.

He also told the states and UTs not to&nbsp;dilute guidelines issued by the MHA.

"States/UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may prohibit certain other activities in various zones, or impose such restrictions as deemed necessary," Bhalla said.

The Home Secretary stated that under the new guidelines effective from May 18, "states and UTs will now categorise Red, Orange and Green zones taking into consideration the revised guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on May 17."

"Inside the red/orange zones, containment and buffer zones will be identified by the district administration/local urban bodies with technical inputs at the local level and by taking into consideration the Health Ministry guidelines," he said.

Within the containment zones, strict perimeter control shall be maintained and no movement of persons would be allowed across the zones, except for medical emergencies and for maintaining the supply of essential goods and services, Bhalla further said.&nbsp;

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has written to Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories (UTs), asking them to ensure compliance of new guidelines issued for the extended lockdown till May 31.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has written to Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories (UTs), asking them to ensure compliance of new guidelines issued for the extended lockdown till May 31. "I would urge you to ensure compliance of the new guidelines and direct all concerned authorities for their strict implementation. Further guidelines issued by the MHA and consequent orders issued by the respective state governments/UT administrations should be widely disseminated to the public and to the field functionaries for the convenience of people," Bhalla said on Sunday. He also told the states and UTs not to dilute guidelines issued by the MHA. "States/UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may prohibit certain other activities in various zones, or impose such restrictions as deemed necessary," Bhalla said. The Home Secretary stated that under the new guidelines effective from May 18, "states and UTs will now categorise Red, Orange and Green zones taking into consideration the revised guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on May 17." "Inside the red/orange zones, containment and buffer zones will be identified by the district administration/local urban bodies with technical inputs at the local level and by taking into consideration the Health Ministry guidelines," he said. Within the containment zones, strict perimeter control shall be maintained and no movement of persons would be allowed across the zones, except for medical emergencies and for maintaining the supply of essential goods and services, Bhalla further said.

Union Home Secy writes to states, UTs to ensure compliance of new guidelines for extended lockdown

E-commerce companies can continue to provide essential goods but they are not permitted to supply non-essential goods like luxury products, mobile phones, TV etc,&nbsp;Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla said on Sunday.&nbsp;

The Union Home Secretary has written a letter to all chief secretaries of the states and UTs in this regard.

"I would like to clarify that while operations of e-commerce companies for non-essential goods stands prohibited, however, they will continue to operate for essential goods as has been allowed earlier and continue to be allowed under clause 13(i) of these guidelines," Bhalla said about the e-commerce companies in the context of the revised lockdown guidelines.

The Union Home Secretary further said that states are requested to clarify this to all the field agencies and also adequately disseminate amongst the general public so as to ensure smooth movement of the entire supply chain of essential goods, including by e-commerce firms.

(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;

E-commerce companies can continue to provide essential goods but they are not permitted to supply non-essential goods like luxury products, mobile phones, TV etc, Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla said on Sunday.

E-commerce companies can continue to provide essential goods but they are not permitted to supply non-essential goods like luxury products, mobile phones, TV etc, Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla said on Sunday. The Union Home Secretary has written a letter to all chief secretaries of the states and UTs in this regard. "I would like to clarify that while operations of e-commerce companies for non-essential goods stands prohibited, however, they will continue to operate for essential goods as has been allowed earlier and continue to be allowed under clause 13(i) of these guidelines," Bhalla said about the e-commerce companies in the context of the revised lockdown guidelines. The Union Home Secretary further said that states are requested to clarify this to all the field agencies and also adequately disseminate amongst the general public so as to ensure smooth movement of the entire supply chain of essential goods, including by e-commerce firms. (With inputs from ANI)

E-commerce companies not permitted to sell non-essential items: Union Home Secretary

Protests intensified in the city today against the conduct of IPL matches amid raging Cauvery demonstrations, with police chasing away agitators in some places.

One incident of agitators burning yellow jerseys, the attire of Chennai players, was also reported.

Hundreds of activists of pro-Tamil outfits like Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK), Naam Tamizhar, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and some Muslim groups staged road blockade at the arterial Anna Salai and TTK Salai, affecting traffic movement, police said.

Tamil film celebrities, director Bharathirajaa and national award-winning lyricist Vairamuthu among others also joined the agitation.

In some places, protesters clashed with police.

The protesters are calling for Chennai's match against Kolkata to be dropped because of the Centre’s inaction in setting up a Cauvery Management Board.&nbsp;

Over 350 people were arrested. And security has been heightened around the MA Chidambaram stadium where Chennai is scheduled to take on Kolkata today at 8 pm.&nbsp;

The threat of more protests prompted police to step up security for the cricketers, including during their journey to the stadium from their hotel.

The CSK team suffered a slight delay on its onward trip to the stadium for the match due to the disruption.

The Chidambaram stadium has been turned into a virtual fortress with 4,000 policemen including commandos and members of the Rapid Action Force deployed for security. Today's IPL tie is the first in Chennai since 2015.&nbsp;

Police were seen chasing away protesters on the arterial Anna Salai which bore the brunt as scores of protesters staged agitation on this key road, resulting in traffic snarls. 
Some protesters were seen raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not establishing the Cauvery Management Board, an issue on which Tamil Nadu political parties including DMK and other outfits have been agitating for the past one week.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla met Union Home Secretary Rajeev Gauba to speak with him him about security arrangements for the matches to be held in Chennai. Gauba repportedly assured Shukla that appropriate arrangements had been made.

The protesters are calling for Chennai's match against Kolkata to be dropped because of the Centre’s inaction in setting up a Cauvery Management Board.

Protests intensified in the city today against the conduct of IPL matches amid raging Cauvery demonstrations, with police chasing away agitators in some places. One incident of agitators burning yellow jerseys, the attire of Chennai players, was also reported. Hundreds of activists of pro-Tamil outfits like Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK), Naam Tamizhar, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and some Muslim groups staged road blockade at the arterial Anna Salai and TTK Salai, affecting traffic movement, police said. Tamil film celebrities, director Bharathirajaa and national award-winning lyricist Vairamuthu among others also joined the agitation. In some places, protesters clashed with police. The protesters are calling for Chennai's match against Kolkata to be dropped because of the Centre’s inaction in setting up a Cauvery Management Board. Over 350 people were arrested. And security has been heightened around the MA Chidambaram stadium where Chennai is scheduled to take on Kolkata today at 8 pm. The threat of more protests prompted police to step up security for the cricketers, including during their journey to the stadium from their hotel. The CSK team suffered a slight delay on its onward trip to the stadium for the match due to the disruption. The Chidambaram stadium has been turned into a virtual fortress with 4,000 policemen including commandos and members of the Rapid Action Force deployed for security. Today's IPL tie is the first in Chennai since 2015. Police were seen chasing away protesters on the arterial Anna Salai which bore the brunt as scores of protesters staged agitation on this key road, resulting in traffic snarls. Some protesters were seen raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not establishing the Cauvery Management Board, an issue on which Tamil Nadu political parties including DMK and other outfits have been agitating for the past one week. Meanwhile, IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla met Union Home Secretary Rajeev Gauba to speak with him him about security arrangements for the matches to be held in Chennai. Gauba repportedly assured Shukla that appropriate arrangements had been made.

Cauvery row: Protests grip Chennai as IPL game against Kolkata kicks off, 4,000 cops deployed at stadium