MADURAI: The Madurai District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Association (MADITSSIA) has appealed to Union Minister Mr.Nitin Gadkari to bailout Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from the ill effects of COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown.
It had sent a detailed representation to him on 1st May 2020 citing various issues that need to be addressed immediately by him as Union Minister for MSMEs along with Labour Ministry, Finance Ministry and Reserve Bank of India. Copies of the representation signed by MADITSSIA president Mr.B.Muruganantham were also sent to the Union Finance Minister, Union Labour Minister and the Prime Minister’s Office.
“We are hopeful that you will understand our agony and come to our rescue. A bailout package for the MSMEs is immediately needed or else the entire sector will go beyond redemption. This sector is a backbone of our economy,” the MADITSSIA has said in its detailed memorandum.
SALARY ISSUES:
Mr.Muruganantham had pointed out that the small units have somehow managed to pay the March month salaries to workers, but helpless and clueless to pay April salary.
“We are at a crossroads. The lockdown extension for another two weeks adds more pain and raises questions on how to sustain our business. Please come to our rescue, save the MSMEs on sympathetic and humanitarian grounds by announcing a bailout package,” the MADITSSIA has appealed to Union Minister for MSMEs Mr.Nitin Gadkari.
The request from MADITSSIA is that the Government may come forward to pay at least 50 percent of the salary for workers in this lockdown period, and the employers will pay 25 per cent. MADITSSIA had also urged the Union Minister to impress upon the Finance Ministry / concerned departments to defer the collection of taxes extend due dates by 90 days.
