<span style="color: #222222;">As the nation gets into lockdown, a series of measures have already been taken by the Government to reduce inconvenience to the citizens.<br />''<br />''Foodgrains are available and citizens need not worry and need not resort to panic buying. Foodgrains for 3 months can be lifted by States/ UTs on credit from Food Corporation of India. This will ensure adequate supply of foodgrains to the public and financially assist the States.<br />''<br />''Beneficiaries of the Public Distribution System have been allowed to buy six months of their quota of subsidized grains.<br />''<br />''Contractual, Casual and Outsourced employees will be paid even if they are unable to report on duty due to lockdown. It will be applicable to attached, subordinate offices, autonomous, statutory bodies of government of India till April 30th.<br />''<br />''<br />''Pensioners' details and pension amount statements for the current month will be generated by EPFO and reconciled by 25th March, 2020. It will be sent to the banks in advance so that the monthly pension is credited into the account.<br />''<br />''Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has asked insurance companies to allow additional 30 days of grace period for payment of renewal premium for life insurance policies. Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has also extended the deadline up to April 15, 2020. For health insurance policies, insurers can now condone delay in renewal up to 30 days without deeming this as a break in policy.<br />''<br />''Hand sanitizers and masks brought under the ambit of  the Essential Commodities Act. States asked to distribute Hand Sanitizers and face masks through ration shops at fair prices & ensure they are easily available. Prices fixed for masks and hand sanitizers. Retail prices of 200 ml bottle of hand sanitizers cannot be more than 100 rupees.<br />''<br />''Researchers from IIT Kharagpur have developed two different alcohol-based hand sanitizers based on WHO guidelines for non-commercial purposes. These hand sanitizers have been provided to  employees of IIT Kharagpur institute who are providing essential services to students and staff on the campus.<br />''<br />''Supply of personal protective equipment (PPEs) is being augmented. These include body coveralls, N-95 masks and 2-ply/3-ply surgical masks required for healthcare professionals dealing with COVID-19 cases.<br />''Government has banned exports of all personal protective equipment including body coveralls, N-95 masks, 2-ply/3-ply surgical masks all 2-ply/3-ply surgical masks and the raw materials required for manufacture of such products.</span><br />