DEHRADUN: In the wake of the nationwide lockdown,
Uttarakhand industrialists
have demanded three months’ interest waiver from the state government. They have also questioned the stiff conditions issued by the Centre for operating factories post lockdown. In a bid to prepare a post lockdown economic roadmap, the
Uttarakhand government
had set up a five-member committee last week, headed by former chief secretary Indu Kumar Pandey. On Friday, responding to
industry
demand for three month’s interest waiver, Pandey said, “The committee will examine the proposal after hearing the views of all stakeholders.”
Pushing hard for the waiver, Pankaj Gupta, president of Industries Association of Uttarakhand, said, “The state and central governments must think of giving industry three months interest waiver on dues with the government. This will help all small and medium sized industries across the state.”
Industry owners also said despite lockdown, they are paying wages, operating with limited resources and following all other lockdown guidelines. “The rules say we have to look after workers, their food and stay. If after that they get infected with Covid-19, action will be taken against the industrialist. Who can operate under such conditions?” said
Manral Doval
, an industry owner.
Speaking on behalf of the education industry, D S Mann, the chairman of Doon International School, said, “The deferring of payments to banks for any type of loan is fine. Three months' interest should also be waived for industry. Lockdown has severely impacted all sectors in Uttarakhand.” Experts believe the Covid-19 outbreak will hit the hospitality industry hardest. The next three months will be very difficult for hotels, resorts and restaurant owners. Sanjeev Bhambri, the managing director of a city-based luxury hotel, said, “Waiving off three month’s interest on the principle amount is logical, and will give boost to industry for the tough times ahead. Industry needs the support to withstand the troubled times.” He added all industries will be forced on cut costs to keep afloat, because recovery looks distant.
CEO of Devbhumi Industrial Estate in
Roorkee
, Pradeep Dutta, said, “Government must give 1% interest loans to industry to cover expenses like salaries, otherwise it would not be possible to give wages to everyone during and after lockdown.”
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