@mitesh_mody
By Mitesh Mody
Traders, businessmen, shopkeepers and small manufacturers of Maharashtra are not in favour of a complete lockdown. We will surely oppose complete lockdown. Our economy is paralysed after the first lockdown and a second lockdown will destroy our economy.
The aftershocks of the first lockdown are still being felt in all the markets. There are numbers of fraternities that are still struggling for their survival after the first lockdown. Be it the hospitality sector, readymade garments – especially expensive wedding dresses, event management and related sectors, the food and beverage industry, just to name a few, are looking for some miracle to happen for their survival.
In addition to the losses incurred during and after the lockdown, industries had to bear a steep price rise in the cost of raw materials, shortage of labour, high cost of freight, domestic as well as international, which eventually increased the cost of production and made them non-competitive, resulting in lesser sales figures across many sectors.
The reduced buying powers of customers forced small manufacturers to cut short production of non-essential goods. This was and is the time when Industries and the common public wish that the government should control the price rise at this crucial time when relief is needed the most.
A look at the recent guidelines of the Government of Maharashtra (GoM) shows that the factories are allowed to operate at a full 100 percent capacity and private offices can run with 50 percent capacity. Thus, full production is ensured but sales outlets i.e., shops and markets will be closed in case of a complete lockdown.
In such a situation, what will happen with the manufacturer piling up unsold inventories? How does the economic cycle remain functional? For how long will one keep on paying salaries, outgoing expenditures and survive without opening shops, without any income?
Instead of a complete lockdown, the government should concentrate on tackling epicentres of the virus effectively. For example, they can shift the open and unorganised roadside vegetable, flower, fruit markets like Dadar Market to nearby open grounds.
The local authorities can put a blanket ban on social, religious and political gatherings. Make shifts working hours for government offices, corporate offices, private offices and market shops so that the burden on public transport can be distributed equitably to avoid rush hour crowds.
We, businessmen, have to pay all the dues, salaries, loans, interest, educational fees, personal and medical expenses of our family members and also of our staff members. The government has not given any actual relief to the business community and instead collects all the dues with interest. How can we cope with another lockdown?
All political parties’ practices show a double standard on social distancing and other Covid norms. Covid is not seen during election rallies, but it is seen when shops are open during fixed hours.
We oppose the double standard of all political parties and we are not in favour of another complete lockdown. We do understand the seriousness, challenges and gravity of the second wave of COVID and are committed to follow rules, guidelines and SOPs to run the market with all safety measures so that the death toll of the economy can be avoided. The ill-effects of a dead economy will be much higher than the damages caused by Covid.
(The author Mitesh Mody is Secretary of Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra Industry and Trade – (CAMIT), Mumbai and President of All India Electronics Association)
