Chennai: As the corona positive cases in Tamilnadu kept increasing with each passing day and crossed the 1,000 mark, the State government today barred directed distribution of essentials by individuals, NGOs and political party functionaries to prevent spread of coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement here, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami also warned of legal action against them for violating the lockdown order in force.
He said at a time when the lockdown was in force to prevent Covid spread, some NGOs and others, under the guise of helping the people in some districts, were directly distributing cooked meals and essential items to the people.
Stating that lockdown was enforced to prevent people from venturing out of their houses and avoid crowds to maintain social distancing, he said the government had already announced that those willing to help could donate the amount to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and give the essentials to the Chennai Corporation Commissioner and to the Collectors in the districts, who would distribute them to the elderly and destitutes in the form of cooking food at community centres or essential items to poor people by maintaining social distancing.
But some individuals, organisations and political parties, were distributing items directly to the people which amounted to violation of the lockdown order, he said and urged them to desist from doing so and instead give the items to the respective Corporation Commissioner, District Collectors or Municipal Chairmen. Those violating this lockdown order would face stern legal action, he said.