Chandigarh, April 3- Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Manohar Lal, today announced relief for Industrialist, Businessmen, and others using big power connections, under which, if the consumption of 50 kW unit is 50 percent or less, then the fixed charges of last and the present month will be waived off. Apart from this, High Tension (HT) connections larger than 50 kW, the fixed charges up to a maximum limit of Rs 10 thousand will be waived off in these bills.

The Chief Minister made this announcement while addressing the people of the State here today.

Meanwhile, showing concern for the contractors working with the State Government contract, the Chief Minister also announced that this lockdown period will be considered as ‘Zero period’ and they will be given a rebate for the same.

He also urged the Industrialist, Businessmen, and traders to treat and take care of the employees and laboures like their family members and do not ask them to leave their jobs or deduct their salaries. He said that in this hour of crisis, we all have to stand together to care for all such families together. He called upon every section of the society to stand united to fight against COVID-19.

Appealing the Industrialists, Businessmen, and traders, the Chief Minister said that during this lockdown period, they should make efforts to make their business online and ensure the delivery of all the essential commodities to the doorsteps. He further urged them to shift to digital payment mode, rather than making cash transactions.

The Chief Minister said that after ‘Janata Curfew’, lockdown appeal, now the Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi has now called upon the people of the country to turn off lights in their homes and instead light candles and flash torches or their mobile phones on Sunday at 9 pm, April 5 in order to shun the "darkness" of COVID-19, therefore we should also ensure that appeal made by the Prime Minister is made successful.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister assured the people of the State that the State government has made elaborate arrangements to tackle this situation and the dedicated teams of District Administration, Doctors, paramedics, Sanitation workers Police, NGO’s, volunteers, are working 24*7 to ensure the safety and availability of essential commodities to each household.

Expressing the gratitude towards the doctors, nurses, police, sanitation workers, government employees, and others engaged in other essential services, he said that in the need of crisis, they are continuously working towards safeguarding the Nation’s interest.

He shared that the State Government has started monthly and weekly financial assistance has been started for the families belonging to the economically weaker section and BPL. Apart from this, with the help of the Central Government, the State Government will ensure free delivery of ration to every household by April 5, 2020.