Give e-passes to all applicants immediately, Tamil Nadu CM orders

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday ordered authorities to distribute e-passes immediately to all applicants, who want to travel across the state (within the districts), starting August 17.

However, the state government clarified that status quo would be maintained for people arriving in from other states and abroad when it comes to e-passes.

In a statement, the chief minister said the move was aimed at helping people travel across the state without any hindrance.

“I ordered issuance of e-passes without any delay to all the applicants to travel across the state (within the districts) from August 17 onwards, based on submission of Aadhaar/ration card details, along with telephone/mobile numbers,” Palaniswami said.

The state government has been issuing e-passes to individuals and establishments for inter-district movement.

The

e-pass

is issued to certain categories, such as marriage, medical emergency, close relative’s death, work and stranded people. This is to help the administrators monitor those who make inter-district movement and trace the contacts if they contract

Covid-19

.

Palaniswami said the decision was taken in the interest of the public. People should avail e-passes responsibly. The public should avoid travel unnecessarily.

“I request the people to extend full support to the government and adhere to the guidelines issued by the state to contain the spread of Covid-19,” he said.