<span style="color: #222222;">Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today reviewed the arrangements regarding essential commodities in the Himachal Pradesh in the wake of a curfew due to Covid-19 outbreak. He directed the officers to effectively maintain the supply chain of essential commodities. Chief Minister Jairam Thakur said funds released under State Disaster Response Fund may now be utilized for provision of food for people stranded in lockdown.<br />''<br />''State government is providing all possible assistance to the people during the lockdown due to COVID-19. To maintain adequate supply of commodities, transportation of all goods without distinction of essential and non-essential is being allowed in the State. District administrations are helping the stranded people and it is being ensured that proper arrangements of food and shelter have been arranged for them. Similarly, arrangements have been made in Himachal Bhawan Chandigarh and Delhi for the students and working people of Himachal Pradesh who cannot come back home due to lockdown. Chief Minister Jairam Thakur also directed the officers to make the arrangement of pulses from the other states timely. He said that efforts should be made to start production in industrial units involved in processing or manufacturing of essential commodities as this would also help in redressing the issue of exodus of workers. While reviewing the availability of insecticides, pesticides and other plant protection materials, Chief Minister directed the Horticulture Department to ensure smooth supply of pesticides to the farmers. Meanwhile, state government also requested Haryana government to allow opening of few roadside Dhabas on national highways to facilitate the truckers carrying essential commodities to the State.</span><br />