Maha govt evaluating how to resume industrial production

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi extending the national lockdown, which was to end tonight, till May 3, governments across the nation are also working on plans to restart working in various sectors in a limited manner after the restrictions are eased in a phased manner. Subhash Desai, industries minister of Maharashtra, has also asked officials of his ministry to explore possibilities on how to restart industrial production.

Mumbai:Maharashtra Industries Minister Subhash Desai has asked his department to draft a proposal on how to restart industrial production in districts where no coronavirus cases have been found.

But, there would be no permission for any industrial or business activity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Pune, which have been categorised as red zones due to a large number of coronavirus cases, he said.

"I have asked my department to come up with a proposal on how to start industrial production from districts excluding Mumbai and Pune," Desai tweeted late Monday evening.

"One key demand we will be making before the Centre is extending bank loans for next couple of months so that small and medium scale industries could pay salaries to its employees," he added.

The country's financial capital now alone accounts for over 1,540 COVID-19 cases and 101 deaths, an official earlier said.

(PTI report)