Punjab CM Capt Amarinder urges PM Modi to lift ban on export of PPE suits

LUDHIANA: In a glimmer of hope for the Punjab based PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) suit manufacturers more than 90 percent of which are based in Ludhiana, chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh has shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to lift the ban on export of PPE suits. Notably the PPE manufacturers have been complaining about shortage of orders and huge drop in the rates of the PPE suits within India due to over production and had been constantly urging state government to take some action in this regard.
In his letter the CM has said these manufacturers had risen to the occasion in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak to make Punjab self-reliant in the manufacture of this critical equipment needed by frontline warriors in the fight against the pandemic. Permitting them to export the PPE body coveralls "would also give an impetus to the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan recently launched by Government of India under your leadership,” he said in his letter to the Prime Minister, requesting him to consider giving permission for the same.
Citing the surplus capacity of production and quality of products manufactured by these units, which started production after obtaining certification from SITRA/DRDO, Captain Amarinder said it appeared that there was not enough domestic demand of PPE at present. These manufacturers are finding it difficult to obtain orders from HLL, he pointed out, adding that of the 128 approved manufacturers, only 18 units have received orders from the Government of India.
The chief minister recalled that on May 21, 2020, the Punjab Industries and Commerce Minister had written to chief ministers of all states to consider directing their respective health departments to place orders on Punjab’s PPE body coverall manufacturers at HLL rates. The Minister has also made a request to the Union Commerce & Industries Minister, vide DO dated 20/05/2020, requesting for allowing export of surplus PPE body coveralls from the country, he further noted.
Notably, the 128 approved manufacturers have a cumulative current capacity to manufacture 5,21,050 PPE coveralls every day. Besides, with the manufacturers possessing significant ability to further scale up the total capacity, the potential for exports is massive, according to Additional Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan, who pointed out that permission to export would not only help revive the state’s industry but also support the global battle against the Covid pandemic.