At a meeting here on Monday, steel manufacturers across the state through a video conference, unanimously expressed their inability in restarting production under the present scenario.

Notable, the state government on Sunday had granted permission to industries for restarting economic activities.

The permission granted was under certain conditions and a consent form had to be filled up by the entrepreneurs.

In wake of the conditional permission to restart economic activities in the state, the industries’ associations called an urgent meeting and discussed the conditions to start their businesses.

President of Urla Industries Association Ashwin Garg told The Pioneer that it was unanimously decided in the meeting that they cannot restart production due to a number of constraints.

“As inter-state transportation was disrupted due to which labourers would not be able to come amid the fear of the spread of the pandemic and as no financial package was given for the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME)  has been declared by the state as well as the Centre, we are unable to restart production,” Garg told The Pioneer.

In the present scenario, only micro and cottage industries could restart production and not the small or the medium scale industry, he said.

“As 90% of the industries are steel-based, and with no likelihood of the nationwide lockdown being lifted, restarting these enterprises will need much more time and a financial stimulus,” Garg said.

“The state and the Centre have to bailout the industries financially in such an economic shakeup due to the coronavirus outbreak.”

Meanwhile, the members of the different associations who were present at the meeting included the Chhattisgarh Steel Industries Association, the Chhattisgarh Rerolling Mill Association, the Sponge Iron Association and the Urla Industries Association.