PANJIM: The Goa State Industries Association (GSIA) which represents Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as their major stakeholders is not in favour of complete lockdown.
“In the interest of small manufacturing industries we do not advocate a complete lockdown. We understand that Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has now recommended for a total lockdown. GCCI is an organization which represents all kinds of businesses such as traders, professionals, service providers etc., who, perhaps, can absorb the shock of a total lockdown,” said the President of GSIA Damodar Kochkar in a press release.
He further pointed out that as the first wave of Coronavirus was just receding, manufacturing industries had started getting some orders and many of the orders are still in the pipeline with fixed delivery time schedules. He feared total closure of industries will create panic amongst the workers and they may leave the industrial estates and not return even after the lockdown is lifted. He insisted that mandatory total lockdown should not be imposed on the manufacturing industries.
“Will a total lockdown of 15 days break the chain of galloping cases of the virus? We, therefore, feel that manufacturing activity should be allowed during the lockdown,” said The GSIA President.
