MHA asks States to scrap e-pass system as instructed in Unlock 3.0 guidelines

Chennai: Ajay Bhalla, Secretary of Home Affairs has directed all Chief Secretaries of the States in India to follow the instructions of Unlock-3 guidelines of July 29, 2020 which clearly states to remove all kinds of restrictions on inter-state and intra-state travel.

Chennai: Ajay Bhalla, Secretary of Home Affairs has directed all Chief Secretaries of the States in India to follow the instructions of Unlock-3 guidelines of July 29, 2020 which clearly states to remove all kinds of restrictions on inter-state and intra-state travel.

Reminding the states of the guidelines mentioned in unlock 3.0 that asks to remove all restrictions between inter-state and intra-state, inter-district, the MHA believes that such restrictions largely affects the supply chain and paves way for employment-related issues. Hence, the guideline clearly directed that no separate permission /approval/e-permit will be required for such movements.

While few states scrapped the e-pass system, Tamil Nadu continued its complex e-pass system which restricted people to travel to other districts of states only for medical emergency, death and weddings.

Allegations rose from all corners of the state, that the state's e-pass system is not only complex but also corrupted. It was alleged that VIPs could avail passes easily and the common man was made to wait endlessly or denied passes even with valid reasons.

With demands for scrapping e-pass system getting louder everyday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister announced relaxations in issuing e-passes and said that process has been simplified and applications would be processed faster from August 17 onwards.

Meanwhile, industrialists from Coimbatore and Tirupur, public including students have expressed strong disapproval on the cumbersome e-pass process which restricts them from carrying out their routine.

However, the TN government strongly believes that the e-pass must be in place to curtail the spread of Coronavirus, as it restricted people from undertaking non-essential travel.

With this letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs asking States to remove the e-pass system, speculations are rife that Tamil Nadu will put an end to the e-pass process soon.



However, there is no official confirmation from the State government or the district administration regarding this until this article has been published.

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