Police on Saturday started the process of issuing e-passes to essential service providers to maintain the free flow of essential goods across the city.

The passes will be issued to individuals or organisations engaged in the supply of essential goods and will be valid across the state, police said.

The move came a day after chief minister Mamata Banerjee had asked the police to exercise restraint and use discretion and allow people to buy medicines and groceries and not to stop government officials from stepping out of their homes for duty.

Cops have been accused of not stopping essential service providers and those engaged in online deliveries in a bid to enforce the lockdown.

The chief minister had told the police to issue passes that would be recognised across the state so that vendors don’t get harassed while travelling from one police jurisdiction to another.

For example, if a vendor starts from Hooghly and targets to deliver essential goods in South 24-Parganas, he/she will have to pass through Hooghly, Howrah (rural), Howrah city police and Calcutta police jurisdictions before entering South 24-Parganas.

The Telegraph

The state police top brass has instructed all districts to ensure unrestricted movement of essential service providers, according to Nabanna sources. Identical passes from police stations will be accepted across the state.

Calcutta police commissioner Anuj Sharma on Saturday launched the e-passes that can be downloaded online: https://coronapass.kolkatapolice.org.

Individuals or organisations can apply for the passes, according to officers in Lalbazar. But it will be issued only to those who can substantiate their status as an essential service provider through proper documents.

“There will be strict scrutiny before issuing the passes because once these passes are issued, everyone will start claiming that they are engaged in essential service,” an officer said. While filling up the application form, a person will have to mention the nature of his/her emergency duty, if he/she is engaged in the supply of essential goods or medicines or if he/she is engaged in e-commerce.

An applicant will have to provide his/her name, address, along with details of the vehicle and route of operation, before uploading his/her photograph. Applicants will have to upload specific documents to prove their purpose before submitting the form online.

“Only those who fulfil every criteria will be issued an e-pass through email. These passes will be non-transferable and will not be effective if used outside the route of operation as declared in the application,” an officer said.

Bengal police will soon introduce identical passes in all districts that can be obtained from the local police station after submission of relevant forms and documents.