Environment
MHA’s Guidelines: How to restart business in different states?
Published
5 years agoon
By
admin
Over twenty-two thousand active covid-19 cases have been reported in India, out of which around eight thousand cases have been cured. (Source: www.mygov.in dashboard, as of April 29th 2020)
Even as cases related to coronavirus are on a rise in India, keeping the country under extended lockdown may do much harm to the economy. To gradually restart the cycle of economic growth, the Union government has formulated the exit strategy that includes lifting the lockdown selectively across the country. The centre has specified that the districts that do not have any Covid-19 cases should start production, distribution, consumption, transportation, and other economic activities. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has mandated National Directives for Covid-19 management for various departments/ministries for a continuous phased exit from the on-going extended lockdown.
Understanding the need for a well charted lockdown exit strategy, India Inc. has welcomed MHA’s guidelines. The decision to allow agricultural and allied activities with the help of MNREGA workers has been widely appreciated, given that the harvesting season is on. The move to allow daily wage earners in the services sector to resume operations is expected to bring relief to the self-employed.
However, given that the pandemic has reached ‘community transmission stage’ in India, the key challenge faced by the states/UT governments now would be to balance the pursuit of economic revival with that of adhering to the stringent guidelines as laid out by the Union government.
Let’s take a look at how the various state governments are working in managing the health crisis with a view on reviving their economies, following the MHA’s guidelines.
Maharashtra: The state with the highest reported cases, plans to keep the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and the Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR) under strict lockdown till May 18th. Approximately, fourteen hundred containment zones (source: Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai) have been identified in MMR alone, where strict cluster containment action plan is being implemented as per the above-mentioned National Directives.
Among sectors that have been allowed in the green and orange zones to resume activities are agriculture and its branches (horticulture, fisheries, plantations, animal husbandry, forest-related activities), MGNREGA work, movement of cargo, functioning of commercial and private establishments, industries operating in rural areas, manufacturing in special economic zones and industrial townships only in non-containment zones, construction of roads, buildings and all kinds of industrial projects, renewable energy projects and all urgent pre-monsoon related work.
Karnataka: In line with with the MHA guidelines, sectors such as health including AYUSH, agriculture and allied activities and finance will remain functional in Karnataka. MNREGA work will also be allowed, but with strict implementation of social distancing measures and mandatory face masks.
The state will also permit the construction of roads, irrigation and industrial projects including MSMEs in rural areas employing only on-site labour. In the cities, the Metro Rail projects within municipal corporation limits will be allowed to carry out in-site construction.
Professionals of the IT sector – which forms the backbone of the state’s economy – will be required to work from home. MHA’s guidelines allow 50% of the workforce in the sector to work from their site, but the state government has mandated that only essential minimum staff will be allowed in offices.
Delhi: In an order dated April 27th, after reviewing the coronavirus situation in the capital, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has announced some relaxations. Inter-state travel of health workers, lab technicians and scientists will now be allowed. For a complete list, read this article by India Today.
Telangana: Due to the increasing number of reported cases (1,012 as of April 29th) in the state, the Telangana government is not in favour of any relaxation to the present lockdown restrictions, therefore lockdown in the state has been extended till May 7th. Also, passenger flight services will not be allowed in the state till then, even though the Aviation Ministry is contemplating the launch of services from May 4th.
On the agriculture side, the state had already ensured harvesting, procurement and marketing activities during the rabi season. Spare parts and mechanics have been made available for harvesters in the state.
West Bengal: The state plans to open up plants and factories in rural belts and clusters on a case-to-case basis. Permission for resuming construction work and irrigation has also been granted provided local workers are sourced and employed for these projects. Brick kilns have also been given permission to operate within the guidelines to contain Covid-19.
Harvesting activities and tea factories to process and make tea are allowed, capping the manpower limit at 25 per cent, against the permitted 50 per cent cap by the centre. However, Jute mills despite being situated in "sensitive areas", have been permitted to open capping workforce at 15 per cent against the guideline of 50 per cent. Moreover, the state administration has allowed manufacture of bidi, against the Centre’s revised guideline of strict ban on sale of tobacco, guthka and others.
Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Odisha and many other states are going by the MHA’s guidelines word by word for a revival of economic activity in their respective states.
Meanwhile, a major matter of concern for many state governments is the strict ban on sale of liquor, gutka, tobacco. Due to the fact that excise duty from alcohol sales are a good source of state revenue, many state governments have been feeling constrained with this guideline and have gone on record to say that they want this ban to be lifted. In the present scenario of lack of economic activity, the state governments are running out of money to sustain their fight against novel coronavirus, and hence the cry. The states that depend heavily on liquor for tax revenue are Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, which may be losing Rs 50-100 crore per day because of the ban on sale of alcoholic beverages.
However, as per the World Health Organization (WHO), alcohol may put people at increased risk for the coronavirus, weakening the body’s immune system and leaving drinkers at risk for other risky behaviours that could increase the likelihood of contracting coronavirus.
Moreover, allowing liquor as sought by several state governments, could likely lead to unmanageable overcrowding at liquor stores, making social distancing impossible and defeating the very purpose of a lockdown.
In the light of the situation, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi suggests that prevention is better than cure and urges citizens to follow AYUSH mantralaya’s protocol to build immunity. As the world awaits a cure for covid-19, enhancing the body’s natural defence system plays an important role in maintaining optimum health.
Let’s play our part in keeping ourselves healthy and safe.
Concrete
India donates 225t of cement for Myanmar earthquake relief
Published
6 days agoon
June 17, 2025By
admin
On 23 May 2025, the Indian Navy ship UMS Myitkyina arrived at Thilawa (MITT) port carrying 225 tonnes of cement provided by the Indian government to aid post-earthquake rebuilding efforts in Myanmar. As reported by the Global Light of Myanmar, a formal handover of 4500 50kg cement bags took place that afternoon. The Yangon Region authorities managed the loading of the cement onto trucks for distribution to the earthquake-affected zones.
Concrete
Reclamation of Used Oil for a Greener Future
Published
7 days agoon
June 16, 2025By
admin
In this insightful article, KB Mathur, Founder and Director, Global Technical Services, explores how reclaiming used lubricants through advanced filtration and on-site testing can drive cost savings, enhance productivity, and support a greener industrial future. Read on to discover how oil regeneration is revolutionising sustainability in cement and core industries.
The core principle of the circular economy is to redefine the life cycle of materials and products. Unlike traditional linear models where waste from industrial production is dumped/discarded into the environment causing immense harm to the environment;the circular model seeks to keep materials literally in continuous circulation. This is achievedthrough processes cycle of reduction, regeneration, validating (testing) and reuse. Product once
validated as fit, this model ensures that products and materials are reintroduced into the production system, minimising waste. The result? Cleaner and greener manufacturing that fosters a more sustainable planet for future generations.
The current landscape of lubricants
Modern lubricants, typically derived from refined hydrocarbons, made from highly refined petroleum base stocks from crude oil. These play a critical role in maintaining the performance of machinery by reducing friction, enabling smooth operation, preventing damage and wear. However, most of these lubricants; derived from finite petroleum resources pose an environmental challenge once used and disposed of. As industries become increasingly conscious of their environmental impact, the paramount importance or focus is shifting towards reducing the carbon footprint and maximising the lifespan of lubricants; not just for environmental reasons but also to optimise operational costs.
During operations, lubricants often lose their efficacy and performance due to contamination and depletion of additives. When these oils reach their rejection limits (as they will now offer poor or bad lubrication) determined through laboratory testing, they are typically discarded contributing to environmental contamination and pollution.
But here lies an opportunity: Used lubricants can be regenerated and recharged, restoring them to their original performance level. This not only mitigates environmental pollution but also supports a circular economy by reducing waste and conserving resources.
Circular economy in lubricants
In the world of industrial machinery, lubricating oils while essential; are often misunderstood in terms of their life cycle. When oils are used in machinery, they don’t simply ‘DIE’. Instead, they become contaminated with moisture (water) and solid contaminants like dust, dirt, and wear debris. These contaminants degrade the oil’s effectiveness but do not render it completely unusable. Used lubricants can be regenerated via advanced filtration processes/systems and recharged with the use of performance enhancing additives hence restoring them. These oils are brought back to ‘As-New’ levels. This new fresher lubricating oil is formulated to carry out its specific job providing heightened lubrication and reliable performance of the assets with a view of improved machine condition. Hence, contributing to not just cost savings but leading to magnified productivity, and diminished environmental stress.
Save oil, save environment
At Global Technical Services (GTS), we specialise in the regeneration of hydraulic oils and gear oils used in plant operations. While we don’t recommend the regeneration of engine oils due to the complexity of contaminants and additives, our process ensures the continued utility of oils in other applications, offering both cost-saving and environmental benefits.
Regeneration process
Our regeneration plant employs state-of-the-art advanced contamination removal systems including fine and depth filters designed to remove dirt, wear particles, sludge, varnish, and water. Once contaminants are removed, the oil undergoes comprehensive testing to assess its physico-chemical properties and contamination levels. The test results indicate the status of the regenerated oil as compared to the fresh oil.
Depending upon the status the oil is further supplemented with high performance additives to bring it back to the desired specifications, under the guidance of an experienced lubrication technologist.
Contamination Removal ? Testing ? Additive Addition
(to be determined after testing in oil test laboratory)
The steps involved in this process are as follows:
1. Contamination removal: Using advanced filtration techniques to remove contaminants.
2. Testing: Assessing the oil’s properties to determine if it meets the required performance standards.
3. Additive addition: Based on testing results, performance-enhancing additives are added to restore the oil’s original characteristics.
On-site oil testing laboratories
The used oil from the machine passes through 5th generation fine filtration to be reclaimed as ‘New Oil’ and fit to use as per stringent industry standards.
To effectively implement circular economy principles in oil reclamation from used oil, establishing an on-site oil testing laboratory is crucial at any large plants or sites. Scientific testing methods ensure that regenerated oil meets the specifications required for optimal machine performance, making it suitable for reuse as ‘New Oil’ (within specified tolerances). Hence, it can be reused safely by reintroducing it in the machines.
The key parameters to be tested for regenerated hydraulic, gear and transmission oils (except Engine oils) include both physical and chemical characteristics of the lubricant:
- Kinematic Viscosity
- Flash Point
- Total Acid Number
- Moisture / Water Content
- Oil Cleanliness
- Elemental Analysis (Particulates, Additives and Contaminants)
- Insoluble
The presence of an on-site laboratory is essential for making quick decisions; ensuring that test reports are available within 36 to 48 hours and this prevents potential mechanical issues/ failures from arising due to poor lubrication. This symbiotic and cyclic process helps not only reduce waste and conserve oil, but also contributes in achieving cost savings and playing a big role in green economy.
Conclusion
The future of industrial operations depends on sustainability, and reclaiming used lubricating oils plays a critical role in this transformation. Through 5th Generation Filtration processes, lubricants can be regenerated and restored to their original levels, contributing to both environmental preservation and economic efficiency.
What would happen if we didn’t recycle our lubricants? Let’s review the quadruple impacts as mentioned below:
1. Oil Conservation and Environmental Impact: Used lubricating oils after usage are normally burnt or sold to a vendor which can be misused leading to pollution. Regenerating oils rather than discarding prevents unnecessary waste and reduces the environmental footprint of the industry. It helps save invaluable resources, aligning with the principles of sustainability and the circular economy. All lubricating oils (except engine oils) can be regenerated and brought to the level of ‘As New Oils’.
2. Cost Reduction Impact: By extending the life of lubricants, industries can significantly cut down on operating costs associated with frequent oil changes, leading to considerable savings over time. Lubricating oils are expensive and saving of lubricants by the process of regeneration will overall be a game changer and highly economical to the core industries.
3. Timely Decisions Impact: Having an oil testing laboratory at site is of prime importance for getting test reports within 36 to 48 hours enabling quick decisions in critical matters that may
lead to complete shutdown of the invaluable asset/equipment.
4. Green Economy Impact: Oil Regeneration is a fundamental part of the green economy. Supporting industries in their efforts to reduce waste, conserve resources, and minimise pollution is ‘The Need of Our Times’.
About the author:
KB Mathur, Founder & Director, Global Technical Services, is a seasoned mechanical engineer with 56 years of experience in India’s oil industry and industrial reliability. He pioneered ‘Total Lubrication Management’ and has been serving the mining and cement sectors since 1999.

The Indian cement industry has reached a critical juncture in its sustainability journey. In a landmark move, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has, for the first time, announced greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity reduction targets for 282 entities, including 186 cement plants, under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023. These targets, to be enforced starting FY2025-26, are aligned with India’s overarching ambition of achieving net zero emissions by 2070.
Cement manufacturing is intrinsically carbon-intensive, contributing to around 7 per cent of global GHG emissions, or approximately 3.8 billion tonnes annually. In India, the sector is responsible for 6 per cent of total emissions, underscoring its critical role in national climate mitigation strategies. This regulatory push, though long overdue, marks a significant shift towards accountability and structured decarbonisation.
However, the path to a greener cement sector is fraught with challenges—economic viability, regulatory ambiguity, and technical limitations continue to hinder the widespread adoption of sustainable alternatives. A major gap lies in the lack of a clear, India-specific definition for ‘green cement’, which is essential to establish standards and drive industry-wide transformation.
Despite these hurdles, the industry holds immense potential to emerge as a climate champion. Studies estimate that through targeted decarbonisation strategies—ranging from clinker substitution and alternative fuels to carbon capture and innovative product development—the sector could reduce emissions by 400 to 500 million metric tonnes by 2030.
Collaborations between key stakeholders and industry-wide awareness initiatives (such as Earth Day) are already fostering momentum. The responsibility now lies with producers, regulators and technology providers to fast-track innovation and investment.
The time to act is now. A sustainable cement industry is not only possible—it is imperative.

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