Correspondent KOHIMA, SEP 3 (NPN) : Following the nationwide lockdown since March this year, more than 1,800 industrial units in Nagaland have been severely affected.
Speaking to Nagaland Post at his office chamber, at the State Civil Secretariat here on Thursday, Industries & Commerce commissioner & secretary Kekhrievor Kevichusa said all the 1,800 units registered with the department that were running successfully even in rural areas were badly affected by the lockdown.
He said the department had found out during an industrial survey conducted in May and June that most units were facing problem due to lack of money, labourers and supplies due to restriction on vehicular movements, besides lack of orders. Following the survey, Kevichusa said the department was helping in preparation of a proposed economic roadmap and had made necessary recommendations in this regard, before submitting them to the Union Commerce & Industry ministry.
He said some of the suggestions included providing relief to the industrial units in the form of cash infusion, waiving GST for some period, power tariff exemption for few months, etc, adding that if the Centre approves the proposal, the units would be benefitted in some way or the other. He exuded confidence that the ministry would understand the issues faced by the industrial units and approve the proposal.
Besides the 1,800 registered units, the official said around 400 units that were not registered with the department also responded to the survey.
He said though the Central government had launched a scheme for extending credit without collateral and waving of loans to the units which qualified, but these were for the pre-existing loans and registered units. He said whether micro or major enterprise, whoever wants to avail Central assistance or loans should be registered with the department and must comply with GST and other statutes.
While perusing the measures to help people during the pandemic, Kevichusa further stated that the department was also planning to kick-start development of industries, focusing more on cluster developments in the form of handicraft, handloom, furniture clusters, etc, for benefiting the people in the medium and long run.
As facilitator, he assured that the department would help anyone coming up with ideas and plans to set up industries, besides assisting companies willing to invest in the State.
He admitted that the past records of the department in promoting or in successful implementation of certain schemes/projects were not impressive. But with change in strategy, he was hopeful to see success in future.
Kevichusa claimed that the most successfully implemented units was the mechanical skill-based Nagaland Tool Room and Training Centre in Dimapur, which imparts training and equips the trainees for jobs, besides sending some even outside the State for additional training.
He said the unit also manufactures rural agro-based technology to facilitate farmers and processes orders since it has a fabrication unit.
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