The lockdown in Maharashtra has evoked a mixed response: some industrialists have welcomed the state government move but chambers are sceptical.
On Tuesday, the Uddhav Thackeray-led government had announced tough curfew-like restrictions on public movement over the next 15 days. It will come into effect from 8pm on April 14 and be in force till 7 am on May 1.
Ahead of the announcement, well known industrialists such as Rajiv Bajaj, the managing director of Bajaj Auto, had condemned such a move, warning of disruptions across industries.
Finance ministry officials said the performance of the economy in the current quarters would not be as good as the previous quarter.
The regional chapters of Ficci and Assocham also spoke in the same vein as Bajaj. “We are certainly hopeful that this (restrictions) will help slow the transmission of the virus.
However, the lockdown will have a deep impact on the state’s economy and Ficci Maharashtra will engage deeply with the stakeholders in the government to minimise the impact and smoothen out the implementation related issues,” Sulajja Firodia Motwani, chairperson of Ficci Maharashtra, said.
She said there are concerns on both supply and demand side. And, on the supply side, many companies operating in Maharashtra are selling their products all over the country and extended disruption in their operations will create a negative impact on their customers, she added.
Industry body Assocham also said it is working with the Maharashtra government to mitigate the economic impact of its 15-day curfew, and urged all states to reach out to the most vulnerable sections of the industry, particularly in the informal sectors, with the best possible relief.
On Wednesday, Sanjiv Bajaj, the managing director of Bajaj Finance, did not pass any adverse remarks against the curbs. “Thank you Maharashtra government for a balanced set of restrictions announced by the Hon. CM yesterday,” he tweeted.
“The chain has to be broken,” tweeted Harsh Goenka of Ceat Tyres. “With no hospital beds and shortage of medical essentials, I welcome the Maharashtralockdown.”
