As per reports, Maharashtra is mulling to selectively ease restrictions in certain industrial areas, from Monday, April 20. However, there will be stringent safety conditions that will be imposed for industries that will be open. The indication of this was given by Industry Minister Subhash Desai indicated this on Thursday.
In a video statement, he said that the discussion in regards to this was done in a joint meeting with officials of the Industry and Health Departments. They had deliberated on kickstarting commerce in the industry across Maharashtra, which has been on hold since March 25. despite the fact that the national lockdown has been extended till May 3.
"Areas or industries falling under the 'Red Zone' will not be permitted for the time being in view of a large number of cases there. The government will consider all aspects and consult the local authorities before deciding on the 'Orange Zones', while in 'Green Zones' we don't see any problems," Desai said.
As per IANS, Desai on April 15, ruled out any easing this in areas that fall under the "Red Zone: like Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Kalyan-Dombivali and Bhiwandi in Thane, Vasai-Virar in Palghar, Pimpri-Chinchwad in Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik, Nagpur and other urban industrial centres.
The meeting was also attended by Industries Secretary Venugopal Reddy, Industry Commissioner Harshdeep Kamble, MIDC CEO P. Anbalagan, Director of Medical Education Department T. P. Lahane, NRHM Director Anup Kumar Yadav and other top officials.
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Desai had maintained in the meeting that since it would be impossible for industries or people in the containment areas to enter or exit, it will not be feasible to loosen any restrictions in the 'Red Zones'. However, for districts under the 'Orange Zone', the government would consider permitting agriculture activities and local industries to resume work, but with stringent conditions pertaining to safety, social distancing, and transportation.
In addition to this, officials are checking if these companies can offer residential facilities to their employees on the work premises, etc.. There are plans be chalked out to set up temporary residential camps for the workers in the orange zones, where the number of people infected is less. These can happen only in places where Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation has a presence and is subject to clearance by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray after taking into account all relevant factors, and the guidelines of the Centre issued on Wednesday.
As per Desai, this move will not only help workers who have lost their jobs but also help the industry to gradually get back on its feet.
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