Mobile devices firms urge Govt to lift sale curb

Urging the Government to include mobile devices under the essential services category, handset firms on Thursday said many frontline workers, patients and other vulnerable groups are facing a tough time during the coronavirus lockdown due to non-availability of the devices.

The India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), whose members include firms like Apple, Foxconn, Wistron, Flextronics, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo and Lava, said mobile phones are at the heart of the digital ecosystem and their non-availability can be life threatening.

“Senior citizens and those with underlying health conditions are most susceptible to Covid-19. In such cases, the fatality rate is upwards of 10 per cent.