Refrain from job cuts, KTR to CEOs

19.04.2020

He reminded them that the Telangana government under the leadership of K Chandrashekhar Rao had announced salary deferments of all ministers, senior officers and employees of all levels.

He said that as an industry leader and a responsible citizen, he urged them to heed the appeal and refrain from any job cuts. “I am confident that as soon as we are able to come out of this crisis, the industry is bound to grow again and the government will ensure that the enabling conditions due to which Telangana has become the most progressive State for doing business will maintain its position as before,” he wrote. The Minister said that the present pandemic had brought extreme hardships to all sections of the economy and in Telangana, the State government along with private sectors and various charities and philanthropists was striving to manage the health situation and also provide relief to the needy. “The combined effort under the leadership of the Chief Minister has been appreciated far and wide,” he added.

‘Government determined’

Assuring the CII, he said that government was making efforts to contain and flatten the Covid curve. “The State is well prepared with sufficient quantities of PPEs, masks, testing kits and ventilators. But citizens need to be careful to maintain personal hygiene and stay indoors to contain the spread,” he added.

With renewed focus on healthcare, medical infrastructure and biotech industries, he requested members to explore opportunities in these sectors. “Every adversity presents an opportunity and we must strategise and come up with new ideas,” he said. Responding to the members’ queries on economic revival, Rama Rao said 25 per cent of the economy was still working and post lock down, the economic growth will rebound in spurts.

“Even after the lockdown is lifted, one of the biggest challenges for the industry will be to build the confidence of the workforce to return and feel safe. Social distancing will be the new norm, and Industries have to make changes in the way they operate,” he said.

The members then requested the government’s support for the industry especially the MSME sector, to mitigate the adversities. The Minister mentioned that the government was committed to the industry and would extend all possible support. He also requested CII to work on a vision document on new business opportunities and investments in post Covid era. He sought support from industry with critical medical infrastructure through their CSR funds.