Companies are resuming operations in a limited manner, with the central and state governments easing the restrictions on lockdown. However, a traders’ body on Tuesday warned that 20 per cent of the country’s retailers may have to wind up their businesses.

Asian Paints, Phillips Carbon Black, Bharat Forge and Century Textile Mills are some of the companies which have resumed their operations. In a regulatory filing with the bourses, Asian Paints said it had partially resumed operations at some of its manufacturing locations, warehouses, and offices.

In a separate announcement, Phillips Carbon Black said operations at its plant in Durgapur have resumed. Earlier, the operations at Palej and Mundra in Gujarat and at Kochi in Kerala had resumed. “Now all our plants across India are operating partially,” the company said.

Century Textiles said its plant at Bharuch in Gujarat has resumed operations.

Pune-based forging firm Bharat Forge is commencing operations in a graded manner with the Baramati facility reopening from Tuesday.

Production will resume by the end of the week once the mandatory safety checks and training of personnel on physical distancing, health and hygiene is complete.

Automobiles

The automobiles sector, one of the worst hit by the nationwide lockdown, is also limping back to normalcy with Toyota Kirloskar Motor saying it has started preparations to resume manufacturing at its Karnataka plant.

Hyundai Motor India said it will begin preparations to resume operations at its Chennai plant on May 6.

Apollo Tyres, which had partially resumed operations in Gujarat, Kerala and Hungary last month, said its operations at Chennai had also started. Birla Tyres’ Balasore factory has restarted its operations,

Trader loss

Traders body Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Tuesday said the country's retail sector comprising around 7 crore players has witnessed a loss of Rs 5.50 lakh crore since March 25 when the lockdown started.

It added that at least 20 per cent of Indian retailers are likely to wind up their businesses in the next few months. The body has now urged the government to award a substantial package to traders to ensure their survival.