Pimpri: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has accepted the requests made by the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA) and other industry representative bodies to allow all industrial units and information technology (IT) and Agricultural companies to function as it were during the 'unlock phase' without any additional new restrictions. Accordingly, PCMC administration will allow employees of IT companies and all other industries to travel for work, provided they have an identity attested by the company owner or promoter or HR head on the company letterhead. This letter will be considered as a valid pass for commuting in the city during the lockdown.
The MCCIA had represented Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and PCMC on Sunday evening in a meeting through video conference, to consider allowing industries to work as they were in the past week without additional constraints. MCCIA had also requested authorities to allow workers to use their bikes for travel to industry. Accordingly, PCMC has issued revised guidelines on Monday (July 13) and PMC is expected to follow it soon.
The revised guidelines signed and authorized by PCMC Commissioner Shravan Hardikar state that all industrial units, agricultural and IT companies are allowed to function as per the norms set by the administration. A copy of authorization letters given to employees should also be submitted to the local police stations. The employees should carry this letter while commuting to and fro office.
If any employee is tested positive for COVID-19, then the other employees working in the department will have to get tested at their own expense. The department or unit will remain close while the test reports are awaited. After the reports are received, the unit can be reopened after proper sanitization is done.
The one particular demand of allowing bikes to be used by employees to commute finds no specific mention in the revised guidelines. Industries and employees situated in Pimpri-Chinchwad city jurisdiction can apply for an e-pass on epass.addl2@pcmcindia.gov.in while those outside the city limits can apply to the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate.
