By SK.Vyas
New Delhi, March 28, 2020:: Amid the nationwide lockdown over the Coronavirus outbreak in India, the Delhi government is ensuring e-passes are smoothly issued to the essential service providers along with normal passes. Till date, the Delhi government has issued 26,447 e-passes to the essential service providers. The Delhi government is not only issuing passes to the essential service providers but also issuing passes to the vehicles carrying the essential commodities. Till date, the Delhi government has issued over 1300 e-passes and over 500 normal passes to the vehicles carrying essential commodities. Many state governments have sought more information on the e-pass system implemented by the Delhi govt to implement the same in their respective states.
The Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal came up with a solution for private-sector employees engaged in essential services who need to be out during the Coronavirus lockdown and are being stopped by the police. At a joint press conference with Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal this Wednesday, Kejriwal announced that e-passes will be issued to vegetable vendors, grocers, milk sellers and other essential service providers to ensure smooth supply of daily use items in Delhi during the 21-day lockdown implemented to stop the spread of coronavirus.
The Delhi government has given the responsibility of issuing this passes to all the officers of District magistrates of 11 districts. Till date, the Delhi government has issued 26,447 e-passes to the people providing essential services and 1364 e-passes to the vehicles carrying essential commodities. The Delhi government has also rejected 46,299 applications for e-passes and 47,914 applications are pending approval. In addition, the Delhi govt has received 10,744 duplicate applications, whose e-passes have already been issued. According to the data the New Delhi district has witnessed the highest number of people who have received these passes, followed by South Delhi.
After the lockdown was announced the Delhi government witnessed that many of the essential service providers are facing problems to travel because they do not have company ID cards. The Delhi government has also requested the police that till the time the government is working to provide these passes the police should allow people who are carrying essential commodities. The Delhi government has also clarified that no citizen will require such passes to visit the nearby markets or shops to buy essential commodities.
The Delhi government has started a helpline number-1031-where people can call to get these passes. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has appealed to people not to make requests for passes if they are not engaged in essential services. He clarified that 1031 is not a general helpline and urged please not to make general calls as it would lead to congestion of the line. He clarified that people do not need passes for going to their nearby ration shops, general stores or chemists.
The Delhi government is working 24×7 to provide the e-passes to the people who are providing essential services: Kailash Gahlot
"The Delhi government is working 24×7 to provide the e-passes to the people who are providing essential services. We are providing as many passes as possible and in every possible way, we are ensuring that all essential services providers get the passes. While issuing the passes we are scrutinising the requests thoroughly because these passes are only for the people who provide essential services. Anyone who has applied for the passes but does not provide essential services is not getting these passes. The officials of the revenue department are working very hard to provide these passes. This is a very difficult time but the Delhi government is fully committed to providing all the essential services like grocery, medicine, milk, vegetables, ration and other essential goods. In the end, I will request everyone to stay indoors and follow the orders of the government. Maintaining social distance and following the lockdown orders are the only way to fight this virus. The Delhi government will ensure that you get every essential commodity at your nearby shops but you should only leave when it is very urgent and essential," said Revenue Minister of Delhi Kailash Gahlot.
Every pass has a unique QR code and the police can check the authenticity of the pass-through that: Gopal Mohan
"If you call the 1031 number an SMS is sent will be sent to your mobile number with a link to submit basic details along with the copy of a government identity card. The district officials concerned will issue the e-pass following scrutiny of documents and eligibility. Every pass has a unique QR code and the police can check the authenticity of the pass-through that. There is also a link available online that can be used to apply for these passes. Rush is very high that is why many people are getting 1031 numbers busy but we will resolve the issues soon. I will request to follow the above procedures and not any other procedure of reaching out to individual DM offices as that will take more time," said Mr Gopal Mohan, Member of Dialogue & Development Commission.
PROCEDURE:
The details required are Name, Address, Details of Essential services, Copy of ID card any like Aadhar, voter card, etc, Vehicle registration number (required for vehicle carrying essential goods or person engaged).
A helpline — 1031 — and an online platform — epass.jantasamvad.org/epass/init — have been created to generate color-coded e-passes, which would be sent on the WhatsApp number of the applicant after verification.
The online and telephonic requests are directly transferred to the 11 district administrations, where modules with multiple computers manned by more than 10 people have been set up. The color codes of the passes are based on the nature of service for easy identification.
After an applicant calls for the e-pass, an SMS is sent to his mobile number with a link to submit basic details along with a copy of a government identity card. The district officials concerned will issue the e-pass following scrutiny of documents and eligibility. The e-passes will remain valid till April 14. Misuse will attract penal punishment.
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Accounts of beneficiaries :
Akshai Kaicker, Chemist
Akshay is a resident of South Delhi and a chemist in the profession. 35-year-old Akshay applied for the pass through the website link and he received the pass within an hour. “I am very impressed by the service of the Delhi government. On the first day of the lockdown, I have faced issues to go out and reach to my workplace as the police obstructed the movement for all. After the announcement by the Delhi chief minister, I applied for a pass through the given website link and I received the pass within an hour. This is a tough time for all and my family was also very worried because I had to leave for work. Right now as a chemist it is my duty to serve the people of Delhi and India, therefore, this bus was much needed and I want to thank Mr Kejriwal for doing this for us.
Atul Kumar Sharma, General store owner
Atul Kumar Sharma is a resident of South Delhi and he owns a grocery shop. 46-year-old Atul applied for the pass by calling 1031 and received it within a day. “After the announcement of the lockdown I was in a dilemma because at one site people was asking me to open the shop so that they can buy grocery items and on the other hand authorities was asking to keep the shop is closed I’m not to come out to the street. After the announcement by the Delhi chief minister, I immediately apply for the pass and received it within 24 hours. I am happy that in this tough time of India due to the help of Mr Arvind Kejriwal I am being able to serve the nation and the people of Delhi. “
Dania Anjum, Compounder:
Dania Anjum is a resident of east Delhi and she is a compounder working with the clinic. She applied for the pass through the website link and received it within four hours. “Right now like all other clinics our clinic also has a huge rush. But after the announcement of lockdown, my parents and I were very worried to come out of home and reach the clinic. The doctor of the clinic suggested me to apply for the pass And shared the website link. I am thankful to Mr Arvind Kejriwal for this prompt and very needed action. I receive the pass within four hours and from then I am not facing any problem to travel to the clinic. “