More on Covid-19





NEW DELHI: The micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) ministry has suggested to the government to allow manufacturers to resume operations in areas which aren’t classified as Covid-19 hotspots. However, this will be subject to the manufacturers strictly following sanitization and social distancing norms.Sources said even an empowered group of secretaries has suggested that resuming industrial production should be allowed in areas which are in green and amber zones. It has suggested normalcy of logistics supply can happen only when there is production of essential and other items as well.Speaking to a group of reporters through video conference from his Nagpur residence, highways and MSME minister Nitin Gadkari said on Saturday that getting back migrant labourers who have left the cities and urban centres is the key to resume operation of small and medium industrial units.He added that lakhs of labourers leaving cities is a serious concern. Gadkari said it would be up to the state governments and local administration to come out with a framework to encourage them to return to work.The minister pointed out that both government and factory owners would have to take confidence-building measures to motivate them to return.During his review meeting with NHAI and highway ministry officials on Wednesday, NHAI officials had said there were still a large number of labourers in the camp at work sites. “Works can start quickly at these locations. Some of the contractors are also willing to give incentive to labourers,” said an NHAI official.Talking to reporters, Gadkari quoted media reports which have claimed nearly 20 lakh migrant labourers living in shelters and relief camps while some have returned home are caught in between.For revival of MSME sector post lockdown, the minister said his ministry is preparing plans which include encouraging village craft and providing funding for village-based industries.Under the Sfurti scheme around 400 clusters have been identified and there will be financial assistance.On the life after COVID-19, Gadkari said “We have learnt many things from this crisis. We must manufacture more such items that we need here and also build an export market. We can replace other countries who are leading exporters of those items.”He cited the new policy for increasing production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and medical devices will help the country to reduce dependence on China and India can emerge as a major exporter in the next few years.