Amid the nationwide lockdown over coronavirus outbreak in India, the Delhi Government is ensuring e-passes are smoothly issued to the essential service providers along with normal passes.
As per Government data, the Delhi Government has issued 26,447 e-passes to the essential service providers.
Besides issuing passes to the essential service providers, Government is also issuing passes to the vehicles carrying the essential commodities.
As per the data, Delhi Government has issued over 1300 e-passes and over 500 normal passes to the vehicles carrying essential commodities.
“Many State Governments have sought more information on the e-pass system implemented by the Delhi Government to implement the same in their respective states,” a Government official said.
Interestingly, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal came up with a solution for private-sector employees engaged in essential services who need to be out during the Coronavirus lockdown and are being stopped by the police
The Delhi Government has given the responsibility of issuing this passes to all the officers of District magistrates of 11 districts.
“Till date, the Delhi Government has issued 26,447 e-passes to the people providing essential services and 1364 e-passes to the vehicles carrying essential commodities while The Government has also rejected 46,299 applications for e-passes and 47,914 applications are pending approval. In addition, the Delhi Govt has received 10,744 duplicate applications, whose e-passes have already been issued.
According to database with Delhi Government, New Delhi district has witnessed the highest number of people who have received these passes, followed by South Delhi.
A Delhi Government official said that after the lockdown was announced the Delhi government witnessed that many of the essential service providers are facing problem to travel because they do not have company ID cards.
The Delhi government has also requested the police that till the time the government is working to provide these passes the police should allow people who are carrying essential commodities. The Delhi government has also clarified that no citizen will require such passes to visit the nearby markets or shops to buy essential commodities.
The Delhi Government has started a helpline number-1031-where people can call to get these passes. Chief Minister Mr Arvind Kejriwal has appealed to people not to make requests for passes if they are not engaged in essential services.
According to Delhi Revenue Minister, Kailash Gehlot,The Delhi Government is working 24×7 to provide the e-passes to the people who are providing essential services.
Every pass has a unique QR code and the police can check the authenticity of the pass.
"If you call the 1031 number an SMS is sent will be sent to your mobile number with a link to submit basic details along with the copy of a government identity card. The district officials concerned will issue the e-pass following scrutiny of documents and eligibility. Every pass has a unique QR code and the police can check the authenticity of the pass through that. There is also a link available online which can be used to apply for these passes. Rush is very high that is why many people are getting 1031 number busy but we will resolve the issues soon. I will request to follow the above procedures and not any other procedure of reaching out to individual DM offices as that will take more time," said Gopal Mohan, Member of Dialogue & Development Commission.
