Complete solidarity shutdown in Himachal

Shimla:  Almost complete voluntary shutdown on the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Janata curfew' to prevent coronavirus spread was observed on Sunday in the BJP-ruled Himachal Pradesh.

Almost all towns and villages witnessed deserted streets with shops and business establishments closed to mark the pan-India solidarity.

Reports of the shutdown of shops and other establishments were received from the state capital, Rampur, Theog, Solan, Dharamsala, Palampur, Kullu, Una, Bilaspur and other places.

With state-run roadways and private transport completing shutting their services, buses were off the roads.

The entry and exit of all contact carriers and inter-state carrier buses were banned, except limited services not exceeding 10 per cent with proper arrangements of sanitisation only to most frequent destinations like Delhi, Haridwar and Chandigarh by state transport buses from March 21 midnight onwards.

In Shimla, a majority of shops were closed in various localities. People avoided morning walks.

However, the supply of milk was normal.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Saturday urged the leaders of all political parties to give wholehearted support to the government to check the coronavirus spread. And, there is adequate stock of essential commodities.

Chairing an all-party meeting here, he said the government would deal the cases of hoardings and profiteering of essential commodities sternly.

The government has decided to postpone the date of payment of various public utility bills like electricity and water without any extra charges.