Hyderabad: GHMC seals shops defying lockdown

Hyderabad: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation officials sealed different shops and establishments, which were kept open defying the Covid-19 guidelines issued by the government.

According to the officials, Directorate of Enforcement, Vigilance and Disaster Management (EVDM) officials inspected several shops and establishments in various parts of the city and sealed those which were kept open even during lockdown. The shops which were sealed include Ikon Air condition services at SP Road, Secunderabad, Siri watch and mobile store and Padmavathi Bangle; New Jaya Steel Palace, Prestige exclusive store and Fancy Store at Alkapuri; The Marble Craft at Snehapuri Colony; Ravinder Steel Palace at Dilsukhnagar; Aali Study Circle at Saidabad; Sriya Flexi Printer at Ameerpet, Mobile Planet, Peony Kids Store, Jio Digitals (mobiles and accessories), Suvasa (readymade garments store) and Fashion Planet at Banjara Hills.

As per the statement from officials, the shops were sealed because these were not exempted by the government. The shops were sealed under Section 2 of Epidemic Disaster Act, 1897 read with all the enabling provisions of Chapter III of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Only shops selling construction material, hardware, equipment/machinery for agriculture operations like pump sets, etc are permitted to remain open, in addition to those selling essential goods in GHMC.