Aurangabad, April 14:
Entrepreneurs are confused as there are no clear orders regarding industries in the address of chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and the circular of lockdown. Meanwhile, an online meeting of industrial associations was held with MIDC seeking clarification about the orders on Wednesday. The officials explained that export and manufacturing industries will continue and no special permission will be required. Workers will be able to commute with identity cards.
CM Thackeray announced the lockdown decision at a press conference on Tuesday night. According to orders, there will be a strict lockdown for fifteen days from Wednesday at 8 pm. But the new orders created an atmosphere of confusion in the industrial sector. On the one hand, while all vehicles, including rickshaws, are allowed, there are no clear orders regarding industrial transport vehicles. So the industrialists were doubtful whether the buses and other vehicles carrying workers will be allowed or not. On the other hand, big industries like Bajaj were exempted from lockdown. But no decision was announced regarding SMEs. Hence the industrial associations including MASSIA, CMIA and CII held a meeting with MIDC. Giving more information, CMIA president Kamleish Dhoot said, "It was clarified at the meeting that all industries including SMEs will be allowed to function. Workers will have to carry their identity cards and also do an antigen test." Massia president Abhay Hanchanal said that workers who live in a five-kilometre radius of the workplace can go to and fro from their home to work and there will no need to arrange accommodation for workers. The meeting also decided to continue the industries following the rules given by the state government."