Noida export house recovers from corona scare, but waits for permission to resume operations

Shalabh | TNN | May 7, 2020, 18:55 IST

The unit having strength of 718 staffers had to shut down abruptly after one of its general manager who had come back from Italy, had tested Covid-19 positive.

The unit having strength of 718 staffers had to shut down abruptly after one of its general manager who had co...Read More

NOIDA: The dedicated export oriented unit located in sector 80, where confirmed Covid-19 cases had been detected, is geared up to start afresh. More than 50 days back, the unit having strength of 718 staffers had to shut down abruptly after one of its general manager who had come back from Italy, had tested positive on March 11.
While the manager stayed in Delhi and stopped coming to work, due to the ensuing panic Sibrama Newage closed down the next day. Few days later another employee of the company who stayed in Hyde Park society also tested positive to become the second positive case in the city after the patient zero (tour guide). However, no other case was detected thereafter.
Partner and chief executive officer of the export house Rajiv Marwah said that has been waiting for the approval to commence operations for the past four days. "We have sought permission to resume operations. We are going to work with minimal staff for now. Our orders are getting cancelled and we need to start working on the pipeline as soon as possible," said Marwah.
The company had applied over the dedicated portal set up by Gautam Buddha Nagar district administration to grant permissions to industrial units on May 4 and had sent the required details over email to the office of Noida SEZ development commissioner the next day as well.
Permission to allow movement of 230 employees was sought who were required to give finishing touch to the ready inventory of wrist watch straps and other leather accessories. All the stock readied by the unit is exported outside the country. Pending orders have to be rushed to Japan, China, United States, France and Philippines. Marwah added that both the employees have recovered and are ready to take up their assignments along with 228 other team members. "We have faced the Covid panic first-hand. Entire team is geared up to join work to cater to clients. We have put panic and apprehensions behind us,” said Marwah.
Meanwhile, office of development commissioner located in Phase II Noida, was shut on Thursday on account of Buddha Purnima and was not available for comments.