The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has recommended a slew of steps to revive business in Jharkhand while urging the government to adopt a staggered approach to lifting the lockdown.
At an online news meet on Monday, CII-Jharkhand president Sanjay Sabherwal listed the suggestions that the trade chamber believed would help the state government put business back on track on the other side of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The CII has proposed an economic package involving direct cash transfer to labourers, daily wage earners and unorganised sector workers immediately after the lockdown.
To kick-start the economy and deal with the slump in business, the trade body has proposed specific subsidies to industry to boost production. Banks, it said, can be advised to increase the credit limits for companies.
In the logistics sector, the CII has urged the state government to ensure that the truck drivers were not unnecessarily harassed by police and recommended a clear and uniform instruction in this regard. The trade association said the drivers should be treated as migrant workers and provided basic amenities such as eateries and toilets along the highways where they could freshen up and have meals.
Underscoring the need for a proper coordination between government departments, the CII has recommended a phase-wise reopening of sectors beginning with manufacturing and followed by e-commerce, construction and logistics.
“Once the lockdown is over, daily wage labourers should be the first one to be allowed to go to work followed by white-collar employees. Also, we have suggested strict norms for companies employing more than 500 workers. The use of masks and sanitisers and an isolation room for emergencies should be made mandatory for such organisations. Disinfecting factories should be a priority,” Sabherwal said.
The CII said it was helping industry overcome policy and operational issues and intended to work with the relevant government departments at the state and central levels to remove any hitches.
“The CII wants to assure industries that we would leave no stone unturned to help the economy rebound. We have presented the recommendations to the state government and are waiting for them to meet us and take a decision,” said Sabherwal.
The chamber has formed a state-level task force comprising Sabherwal and Tata Steel vice-president (corporate services) Chanakya Chaudhary along with seven other members to oversee the distribution of food, face masks, sanitisers and gloves to the needy across the state.
The trade body has already distributed 150 litres of sanitisers, 1,700 soaps, 10,000 face masks, 40,000 food packets and 100 baby food products.