Industry bodies demand relief package for SMEs

TNN | Apr 16, 2020, 04:00 IST

Rajkot: Rajkot chamber of commerce and Industry (RCCI) and Bhavnagar-based Saurashtra Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has demanded a relief package for small and medium scale industry from state and central governments. The trade body asked for a financial package so that the industry could survive the losses suffered due lockdown and due falling export demand.
In letter to chief minister Vijay Rupani the trade body had demanded waiver of state duty and taxes for at least six months. The trade body demanded other relief package to compensate the loss of fixed cost like salary.
The industry bodies also demanded exemption from the payment of employees provident fund, bonus and any other statutory contribution for six months. Meanwhile, The Federation of Kutch Industries Association (FOKIA) has urged Gujarat government to allow industries to resume operations in Kutch district.
“Fortunately, by grace of God and thanks to prompt administrative steps by state and district administration, the count of Covid19 patients have been restricted to single digit and that too in two pockets of the district,” said Nimish Phadke, managing director, FOKIA in a letter written to Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani.
“Government of Gujarat is requested to take a holistic view on this and allow industrial units of the district to resume the manufacturing operations from April 15 on limited or full capacity with a condition to comply by WHO protocols to contain the spread of Covid-19 at the factory premises and residential colonies,” he added.