The letter directed the employees to not visit office unless necessary and asked them to work digitally. However, in the letter a guideline read that the state government has decided to extend the curfew beyond April 14, creating panic among public and media.
Entire media fraternity believed it to be true and flashed news which triggered govts' nerve.
In regard to confirm the virality of news, True Scoop contacted Mr Satish Chandra (IAS), Additional Chief Secretary, Home Affairs and Justice, who denied the fact and said Superintendent of the department made a blunder.
Apparently, Punjab govt withdrew the letter and rejected reports on extension of curfew in state beyond April 14 and said govt will only come on a decision after cabinet meet scheduled for April 10.
Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh further added that such reports are purely speculative and baseless. He further added that the state government is continuously assessing and reviewing the evolving situation on daily basis and decision would be taken only in context of f the conditions prevailing around mid-April, keeping in mind the overall interest of the state and its people.
Though pandemic is currently under control in Punjab, nothing could be predicted at the moment as dynamics of the situation keeps on changing, said the Chief Minister, adding that all the factors would be taken into account before coming to a final decision on extending or lifting the curfew, either fully or partially.
“We are keeping a close arch on the situation, not just in Punjab but across the country. We are also taking into account the way the pandemic is behaving in other countries so that we can imbue their learnings and act accordingly,” the Chief Minister said.
CM Capt Amarinder lauded the early clampdown in India which has helped the nation to take control over situation than the more advanced ccoountries. One could not get complacent, and the next few days would be critical to any decision on the way forward, he added.
He reiterated that saving lives was the top priority of his government at the moment and whatever decision is taken will be centered around that, seeing how the pandemic shapes up in the state in the coming days.
Notably, the Punjab Government had imposed a statewide curfew on March 23, even a day before Prime Minister announced the 21-day lockdown across country.
Check the copy of letters:
