Thane housing societies will face action for not allowing home delivery of newspapers

According to a circular issued by Deputy District Registrar Shahaji Patil, the Thane district administration has warned housing societies that action under Section 79 (registrar’s power to enforce performance of obligations) of the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, 1960, will be taken against them if they do not allow home delivery of newspapers. The circular was issued following multiple complaints that newspaper deliverers were being turned away. The circular cited the state government’s Mission Begin Again protocol order of June 7, which states that printing and distribution of newspapers, including home delivery, is permitted, provided the deliverer wears a mask, uses hand sanitizer and follows social distancing norms. The World Health Organization has also put an end to the rumours of newspapers being potential SARS-COV-2 carriers and has clarified that they are safe to read during the pandemic.