Coronavirus lockdown- How to apply for Online Pass or E-pass

Even though the entire nation is put under lock down,  the government in order to ensure the smooth supply of essential services has decided to issue an online pass for essential services across the country. In the recent wake of events of the devastating spread of Corona virus across the country and the World, India took some major steps in order to control the spread of the pandemic in our country at an early stage. The  Nationwide lock down was imposed by the government of India for 21 days starting from 25^th March 2020  to 14^th April 2020.

The citizens are allowed to move only with the pass for going out issued by the state government’s official websites such as Delhi government’s Epass Janta samvad application website: www.epass.jantasamvad.org . The goods and people transportation networks across the country ranging from the air services to road services were shut down in order to limit the movement of people which can lead to the uncontrollable spread of the virus. This has proved to be very beneficial for India as the number of cases of Coronavirus has been significantly maintained at lower numbers as compared to the rest of the world.

However, since it is necessary to maintain the supply of essential goods such as medicines, milk, vegetables etc. to the people,  the government has kept the parts of the manufacturing and transport sectors, essential for providing people with necessities, functioning with strict restrictions and precautions. The vehicles are issued online pass for travelling by the state governments through their official websites.

What is an Online Pass or E-pass?

Online pass for travelling is an order issued by the digital electronics system with the permission of the government authorities. As the Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi announced 21 days long lock down in the country to curb the outbreak of COVID-19, he requested all the citizens of the country to stay indoors and move out of their houses only in cases of the emergency or to buy the essential items.

The Prime Minister assured the citizens that the essential goods shops such as supermarkets, the local grocery stores as well as the Pharmaceutical shops will remain open throughout the day even during the curfew. In order to ensure that the shelves of the essential goods stores do not go empty and to maintain the smooth flow of these items in between the states, the government decided that it will issue the online pass for essential services through its official website www.mygov.in/covid-19 . This pass for going out is called “The Curfew E-pass”

Online pass for travelling contains information about the vehicle’s registration number and the duration of validation of the pass. The police have been instructed to allow the movement of the vehicles with this pass without any restriction.

This move has been applauded by the people as well as the authorities responsible for implementing the lock down as this help the authorities to identify the vehicles which require the clearance for movement, by the police, for delivery of the goods from the section of people who are simply moving around without any responsibility towards the society. The police have been asked to register the FIRs against such lawbreakers who are violating the imposition of Section 144 by the government which does not permit the gathering of people in public places under any circumstances.

Who Can Avail the E-pass?

Given below is the list of the essential services that are eligible for availing the COVID-19 curfew online pass for essential services.

1.  Law and order and magisterial duties
2.  Police
3.  Fire department
4.  Water and electricity departments
5.  Vehicles carrying the food supply
6.  Public and private Healthcare workers
7.  Media
8.  Postal Services  
9. Bank employees
10. Retailers
11. Treasury
12.  Miscellaneous
13.  Patients but not required in the case of emergencies
14.  Death cases

Requirements for Obtaining E-pass

Given below is the list of details required for obtaining “ The Curfew E-pass”

1. Name of the applicant
2. Name  of village or town of the applicant
3.  Name of the district of the applicant
4.  Applicant’s mobile number
5.  Photo of the government ID or any other valid ID proof
6. Vehicle’s registration number along with the photo of RC book
7. Duration of the permission required

Online Procedure of Application

The official Central government website for the application form to get the online pass for essential services is www.mygov.in/covid-19. This website redirects you to the official websites which are maintained by the respective State government of the applicant.

AAP government in Delhi released www.epass.jantasamvad.org and Epass Janta samvad application for issuing online pass for going out to the Delhites.

Directions:

1. Go to the official website of the Government of India for COVID-19  www.mygov.in/covid-19
2. Click on the link “Apply for COVID-19 E-pass”
3. Select your state from the list
4. This will redirect you to the official website for online pass application by your respective State government.
5. Click on the “Register Here” option.
6. Fill the form with all the required details.
7. Click on the “Submit” button.

You will receive a message about the confirmation of the successful submission of your form along with the date and timing of submission and the decision will be conveyed to you through an SMS sent on your registered mobile number.

The application is going to be reviewed by the authorities and you’ll be issued curfew E-pass.

Delhi Government’s Official Website for E-pass

Delhi government released the website www.epass.jantasamvad.org for issuing Epass Janta samvad application approval pass for going out. This will ensure a smooth supply of ration, medicines, milk, vegetables and other essential services during the curfew. Along with this, the Delhi government has also issued a list of WhatsApp numbers responsible for issuing E-pass. Candidates can also apply for E-pass through an email to ddma.delhi@nic.in.