New Delhi: Centre has warned Kerala for violating lockdown norms and sent a notice to the Chief Secretary by the Union Home Ministry.
The Centre had announced strict lockdown restrictions in view of coronavirus till May 3. However, state government had permitted some relaxations from April 20.
The relaxations included opening of barber shops and restaurants and the Centre remarked it as a serious violation of the norms, the notice said.
The easing of norms which were not declared, but announced by the state government, have been questioned in the letter.
Lockdown was imposed according to the National Disaster Management Act, 2005. Some relaxations were issued by the Centre to the non-hotspot regions, however Kerala further more eased the restrictions that do not come under the guidelines of the Centre, the notice underlined.
Permitting riders on two wheelers, in-dine at restaurants are violation of the restrictions imposed by the central government. A state government has no authority to modify the guidelines issued by the Central government in the national interest, without their consent, said the notice sent by Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla.
The Centre has sought explanation from the state.
