The Bokaro Chamber of Commerce and Industries has sought help from Union Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to revive several industrial units that have been affected by the Covid induced lockdowns.
The chamber has sent a letter to the minister acquainting him about the poor condition of industrial units located in Bokaro.
Even though the industrial units, majority of which are dependent on Bokaro Steel Plant, were exempted from the lockdown curbs, their production and sales were severely affected. The industrialists claimed that they are passing through a very bad phase and need government intervention.
Chamber President Sanjay Baid said that without full resources, non-availability of oxygen, shortage of raw material, working with 50% labour, non-availability of transport etc, the local industry was working and producing in adverse conditions. Due to this, the ordered goods could not be delivered on time.
“We have requested the Union Steel Minister to ensure that Public sector undertakings (PSU’s) issue a fresh purchase order to the units, which have not been able to supply the ordered goods during the Corona period, along with deducting late fee on the goods supplied by such units,” said Baid.
Another industrialist in Bokaro, Sidharth Parakh said, “Covid has broken the backbone of industry and trade resulting in unemployment and poverty. Government can change this challenge into an opportunity. Economic Reform can boost this industry.”
The chamber has suggested that a Core Committee should be constituted by the Purchase Department of BSL, a unit Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), which should work for guidance and redressal of difficulties and problems being faced by these units. Baid added that SAIL should play an important role in the Prime Minister's endeavor to promote 'Vocal for Local'.
BSL should provide its secondary products in priority to the industries operational locally from the past 30-35 years in the district, taking huge loans from the banks and providing huge employment. This will give a boost to industries here.
