PUNE: About
1,500 companies in Pune division have resumed operations following the state
government’s decision to partially lift the lockdown and allow resumption of
business and industrial activity in areas where there are zero cases of
coronavirus, or the numbers are not rising.
The Pune division comprising five districts ― Pune, Satara,
Solapur, Sangli and Kolhapur ― and is home to some major industries and
business houses. Prashant Girbane, Director-General, Mahratta Chamber of
Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA), said, “We are told that
approximately 1,500 companies of different shapes and sizes are working in Pune
Division. Half of those are in Pune district. These are either ‘essential’
manufacturing or services or units in zones like Jejuri, Kurkumbh, Bhigwan,
Indapur in Pune District.”
He added that the number of employees with passes to work is
less than 5 per cent of the pre-Covid-19 times. Girbane said that the State
should go for more tracing and testing and at the same time the Centre should
release the stimulus package for MSMEs well before the MSMEs deal with monthly
salaries and wages next week. He insisted on better coordination between
government officials and industries.
“There should be daily updates through a Webinar/VC call over
web. MCCIA hosted one or two such calls and is willing to host it daily so that
there should be no confusion. Senior government officers like the Divisional
Commissioner, Collector, Commissioner and Industry Officials like Joint
Director and Regional Officers of MIDC should also join one brief daily call,”
he said.
Last week, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had announced that
the industrial units in the orange and green zones will operate but the workers
will not be allowed to leave the premises. The raw material for industrial
production and grain supplies for the workers would be provided at the site.
Businessmen are being informed that they can commence production if they are
willing to take care of their workers. However, no permission has been granted
for inter-district travel until May 3.
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