TN industries may reopen, but no date yet

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:30.04.2020

Indicating he favoured a staggered lockdown exit, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday said the state government would allow industries to reopen in green zones in the districts, but did not set a firm date. The cabinet will meet on May 2, a day before the nation-wide lockdown ends, and announce the details.

Industry sources, however, say they will need a few days after permissions are in place to restart operations. “A factory cannot be ready overnight. It needs preparation before staff can walk in. We are still waiting for the government nod,” an auto parts maker said. District collectors have been asked for detailed reports on the industries and activities that could be allowed to reopen in a gradual manner in their jurisdiction. “The reports should reach the government by tomorrow. A panel formed to work out exit strategy will make a presentation to the CM on Thursday, based on which the cabinet note will be put up,” a source said.

Gradual resumption in green zones: CM

The Centre has categorized green zones as places where none has tested positive for Covid-19 for 28 days. Krishnagiri is the only district in TN in the green zone as it has not seen a single positive case. However, sources in government told TOI that for purposes of industrial activity, the geographical unit to determine a green zone would be the block in rural areas and corporation or municipal zone in urban areas.

In a seven-hour video conference with collectors, the CM said, “The state government will issue orders to start the industries gradually in green zones in the districts. The collectors can take note of that order and allow all industries in the green zones.”

Palaniswami said the Covid-19 spread was under control in all districts, except densely populated Chennai. Even as the virus spread was brought under control in rural areas, and to an extent in town panchayats and municipalities, it has not been the case in municipal corporations due to the dense population.

The district collectors and Chennai corporation commissioner have been told to submit a report on guest workers. They should ensure relief reached them and healthcare was accessible. “The collectors should see that farmers get access to equipment and inputs, besides movement of produce to the markets,” Palaniswami said.

On the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme front, the CM said workers should be divided into groups of 50. They should be given masks. Those above 55 years should be excluded and instead, a member of his or her family could be included.

Police should intensify surveillance in containment areas and prevent people hitting the streets unnecessarily and also monitor inter-state borders strictly.