Court dismisses plea seeking pass system for shoppers

A division bench comprising Justice M Sathaynarayanan and Justice M Nirmal Kumar dismissed the plea after the government submission that all arrangements have been made to ensure social distancing in market places.

B Ramkumar Adityan of Tiruchendur cited crowding in market places in many parts of the State like Madurai and Salem, and sought to direct the State to create more temporary markets in school and college grounds, bus stands and community halls throughout the State to avoid public congregations in one particular market.

He had also sought to direct the State to split all wards of Corporations, Municipalities, Town Panchayats and villages in Panchayat Unions into three groups, and distribute pass in favour of one member from each household in the age group of 18 to 60.

Green colour pass should be assigned to first group members who would be permitted to visit the market on Monday and Thursday; blue pass to second group who would visit the market on Tuesday and Friday; and red pass to the third group who would visit the market on Wednesday and Saturday. On Sunday, it should be closed for everyone.

He had also sought for an interim direction banning the travelling of more than one person on two-wheelers till the situation was normal.