MIDC units restart as workers, who stayed back with police help, rejoin

Nagpur: Around 50% of the MIDC units have resumed operation with labourers, either from city or the ones who did not join the exodus, after conditional relaxations were given to certain industries to begin afresh.
Much of the labourers now at MIDC are the ones who had stayed back at the adjoining slums of Rajiv Nagar, Amar Nagar, Isasani, Nildoh and adjoining localities after police, NGOs, social workers and groups managed to hold them back through support like food and other aid.
Senior inspector Hemant Kharabe of MIDC police station said the announcement of lockdown had triggered panic among the workers who were rendered jobless overnight. “There was threat of unrest and agitation by jobless outstation workers here after industries shut down. We had to do something to pacify the labourers in shortest possible period,” he said.
The first step taken was to ensure food supply to the labourers. “Around 11 community kitchens were opened with sole initiative of police and another 15 with the help of social workers, NGOs and such groups. Food was provided twice a day to unemployed workers, labourers, needy persons, migrants and slum dwellers after March 24,” said Kharabe.
In all, MIDC police distributed prepared food to 9.5 lakh people under PI Kharabe and Zonal DCP Vivek Masaal’s guidance.
The needy persons were also provided around 2,400 ration kits. “Many labourers and their families found staying at their current location in the city much more safe and affordable than leaving for home. It’s these labourers who are now readily available to join factories and other production units in MIDC,” he said.
Chandrashekhar Shegaonkar, president of MIDC Industries Association, said that their members, other corporate bodies and different units contributed over 10 lakh for providing ration kit, food and other help to needy persons.
“Majority of the construction site labourers have left. Some outstation workers and labourers who stayed back are now helping us to resume work,” he said. Shegaonkar also appreciated the role of police in helping the labourers.
Representative of a private company based at MIDC said that industrial units have benefited largely due to labourers who stayed back due to assistance they got from police, association and corporate bodies.
Shirish Tak, general manager of another company at MIDC, said that the units here have got some momentum due to the available workforce.