Government has written to Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs to not obstruct or call for closure of food processing Units and to maintain uninterrupted supply for citizens during COVID-19 lockdown. <br />''<br />''Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra in the letter asked all states to ensure that food processing companies, retailers and chemists as well as workers and transporters engaged by these entities do not face any hardship in ensuring uninterrupted supply to consumers.<br />''<br />''It said that any executive order under section 144 of the Indian Penal Code should include exemptions not just for these units but also to their distribution and sales channels servicing the food and beverage market, including food delivery, and employees associated with these activities. Similarly, retail trade, wholesalers, chemists and pharmacies that sell or stock food products, medicines and water should  be allowed to remain open to avoid any inconvenience to consumers and also to prevent panic buying. <br />