Industries take a wait-and-watch approach to open till May 3 in Rajasthan

TNN | Updated: Apr 21, 2020, 08:29 IST

A deserted view of Ramganj Bazar Road amid lockdown (file photo)

JAIPUR: Despite the flurry of activities in the corridors of power to reopen industries, entrepreneurs decided not to reopen factories and wait till the end of the extended lockdown period on May 3 before they took a decision. They said the problems to restart factories were manifold and they cannot negotiate the chaotic situation.
On the one hand, they felt that the Centre’s conditions were not practical and does not reflect ground realities. On the other, the employees can hardly be convinced to stay on at the factory premises leaving their families alone in this moment of crisis. In between, the state government, which has only limited powers, has no clue as to how to go about it though they are trying hard to do something, said an industrialist.
Garment manufacturers have announced that they would wait till May 3. Similarly, handicraft makers are ready to miss business opportunities rather than reopening their factories.
The gem and jewellery industry is also not operating after the district collector scotched any plan of opening the industrial zones within municipal limits.
“We have decided not to reopen the units even though we are allowed to in areas like Bagru and other places which does not come under the municipal limits. Getting individual passes for employees through a complex process is also making things very difficult. Under prevailing conditions, making arrangements for their boarding and lodging facilities within the factory premises is also not possible,” said Atul Poddar of the Federation of Handicrafts Exporters of Rajasthan. While employees of companies that manufacture essential products are allowed to travel daily from home to office and back, the same system is not allowed for other industries, he said.
Others drew attention to ESI hospitals dedicated to industrial workers, saying why these facilities cannot be utilised for checking workers when they enter an industrial zone gate. “There is no plan. Official orders don’t put systems in place. Everybody is struggling to understand what the government is doing because nothing is working at the moment,” said an office-bearer of the garment exporters' association.
There is also criticism regarding the lack of coordination. When the collector can supersede all powers, why are directives issued without his consultation, they asked. “One department issues a set of orders which are rejected by others. There seems to be no coordination,” said another industrialist.
Some even pointed out that the number of essential service providers operating are not as per the government estimate.
“There is the fear of penal legal action. That’s why nobody is willing to take the risk. We have already lost a good deal of business and we do not mind losing some other opportunities but will not risk legal action against us,” said a manufacturer.