The interaction was organised to discuss industry concerns, impact, future course of action for restart amidst COVID-19 pandemic
CII organised an exclusive interaction for the Industry with the Industries Department, Government of Maharashtra on April 9. The interaction was organised to discuss industry concerns, impact and future course of action for restart.
Subhash Desai, Minister for Industries and Mining, Government of Maharashtra sought the support of the industry in containing the spread of the virus and promised that the authorities would accommodate the views of the industry while taking major decisions. The Minister further added that power and water tariff are serious issues and government will offer appropriate solutions for the benefit of the industry.
B Venugopal Reddy, Principal Secretary, Industries, Government of Maharashtra and Dr P Anbalagan, Chief Executive Officer, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) also joined the interaction. Dr Anbalagan assured members that all payment dues to MIDC will be rescheduled without any penal amount. He further mentioned that MIDC and Industries Department, Government of Maharashtra has created an online platform (http://permission.midcindia.org/plant-application) for processing applications of all units located both in MIDC and non-MIDC areas, manufacturing essential commodities and part of continuous process industry.
Arvind Goel, Chairman, CII Maharashtra State Council and Managing Director & CEO, Tata Autocomp Systems stressed upon CII’s contribution in Maharashtra to tide over this difficult period by providing personal protection equipment (PPEs), masks, gloves, ration kits to the needy in the community and cooked food being delivered to daily wage earners and migrant labour. CII is also facilitating industry by taking up various issues faced in movement of men and material and manufacturing of essential goods and services and tracking them on a daily basis.
Further during the interaction, Industry requested government to consider Defence and Aerospace, Foundry Industry and ESMA Industries which include thermal, power refineries, petrochemical, steel, metal etc to operate at minimum capacity.
Companies also expressed various issues in exporting of ready consignments and raised concerns about losing export orders. Industry members also mentioned that logistics and port facility, various bank clearances are all enablers to facilitate exports and this needs to be strengthened.
Companies also requested to consider Industry which supports agriculture as essential as it will ensure smooth supply of equipment and pesticides to the farmers for agricultural activities.
Goel concluded by saying that Industries Department under the leadership of Subhash Desai has been proactive and they have assured industry with necessary measures and relief in the wake of this pandemic.