Punjab would soon set up a Task Force to find ways for the State to gradually get out of the unprecedented lockdown.
Announcing this on Wednesday, the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh also assured the industry of all support by the Government to address critical issues and challenges in this difficult time.
Capt Amarinder, addressing a video conference of the state’s leading industrialists, sought the industry’s suggestions on the way forward, and invited them to be part of the government’s decision-making process in the extraordinary situation that is prevailing currently.
Among various issues raised by industry leaders was the demand for declaring tractors and ancillary industries as essential and allowing them reopen to meet the urgent needs of farmers in the Rabi harvesting and marketing season. The demand for declaring cycles as essential commodity was also raised.
Another suggestion that came up was to allow the packaging industry to resume operations, given its importance in ensuring streamlined operations of essential commodities.
Other suggestions from the industry related to revival of air cargo services to Chandigarh, as well as incentives to health and medical start-ups in the state. A suggestion for relief to the tourism industry, that had been badly hit by the lockdown, was also discussed.
A major issue discussed at the meeting related to the problems faced by pharmaceutical companies, which were playing a pivotal role in tackling the COVID-19 crisis. Among these problems was closure of inter-state transport in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as certain restrictions to movement of goods and labour from Haryana. Cash flow problems were also highlighted by the industry, who wanted clarity on the payments to be made to the workers during this critical period.
The Chief Minister asked the Industry Department to take urgent notice of these issues and resolve them at the earliest, given the guidelines in place for certain industries to operate amid the national lockdown. If anyone wants to operate, they should approach the State Government and all efforts would be made to address their requests within the framework of the guidelines, he added.
Even as he thanked the industry for their unstinted support to the State Government in this hour of crisis, the Chief Minister said that the battle ahead was a prolonged one, with far-reaching global implications for the economy and the industry.
Pointing out that his request to the industry for holding back and taking care of the migrant labour was not an order but a suggestion, the Chief Minister said since it was still not clear how long the closure or lockdown would need to continue, it was important to keep them back. “Had the migrant labour left, they would not have easily come back, which would have caused immense difficulty for the state, which is heading into the harvesting and procurement season,” he added.
Concerns were expressed at the meeting over the economic slowdown resulting from the lockdown and the CII representative suggested that taxation officers could work from home to process GST and VAT refunds.
It was felt by some industrialists that the post-Corona shift from China to other countries would offer an opportunity for India, which Punjab should actively explore.
Transport Secretary K Siva Prasad said that all efforts were being made to ensure smooth transportation, with control rooms to coordinate and manage the movement between states and districts.
DECISION ON EXTENSION OF CURFEW IN PUNJAB TO BE TAKEN AFTER APR 10 CABINET MEET
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday made it clear that no decision had yet been taken on extending the curfew in the State beyond April 14.
“ The State Government is yet to take a decision in the matter. A decision in this regard would be taken after the Cabinet meeting scheduled for April 10,” he clarified.
The Chief Minister’s statement came after a faux pass was committed by the General Administration Department in an inter departmental communication, stating that the curfew had been extended till April 30. The said letter was withdrawn later in the day.
The Chief Minister clarified that the speculation on curfew extension had been triggered by an advisory to employees from the General Administration Department on a series of matters relating to the current situation. The said advisory had subsequently been withdrawn by the Chief Secretary on his directives, he added.
“The State Government is continuously assessing and reviewing the evolving situation, which is changing day-to-day, and any decision would be taken in the context of the conditions prevailing around mid-April, keeping in mind the overall interest of the state and its people,” said Capt Amarinder.
“Though pandemic is currently in control in Punjab, nothing could be predicted at the moment, given the ever-changing dynamics of the situation,” said the Chief Minister, adding that all the factors would be taken into account before coming to a final decision on extending or lifting the curfew, either fully or partially.
The early clampdown in India had helped and while the situation was somewhat better than the more advanced nations, one could not get complacent, and the next few days would be critical to any decision on the way forward, he added.
The Chief Minister reiterated that saving lives was the top priority of his government at the moment and whatever decision is taken will be centered around that, seeing how the pandemic shapes up in the state in the coming days.
Notably, the Punjab Government had imposed a statewide curfew on March 23, even a day before the Prime Minister announced the 21-day national lockdown.