No.PR-47 May 1, 2020 New Delhi ‘Iss Corona se logon ne jeene ke khatir kamana chod diya hai’, so living becomes the most important aspect of life and then comes earning for the stomach, said Shri Siddharth Nath Singh Hon’ble Cabinet Minister – MSME, Investment & Export, Textile, Khadi & Gram Udyog, Uttar Pradesh Shri Siddharth Nath Singh Hon’ble Cabinet Minister – MSME, Investment & Export, Textile, Khadi & Gram Udyog, Uttar Pradesh, while addressing the industry stakeholders in an interactive session organised by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 1st May, 2020, said Iss Corona se logon ne jeene ke khatir khamana chod diya hai, so living becomes the most important aspect of life and then comes earning for the stomach, so saving lives is of utmost importance for the government and then comes saving livlihoods. We want to assure the industry that the government, both the state and the central, are extremely concerned over the halt of economic activities and the revival of the Indian industry, formulation of an effective stimulus relief package is on the way , with special focus on the MSMEs, said Shri Siddharth Nath Singh Hon’ble Cabinet Minister – MSME, Investment & Export, Textile, Khadi & Gram Udyog, Uttar Pradesh. We assure the Chamber that the intent of the government is to support the industry by addressing its issues and challenges in every way. We understand that if the government does not hand hold the industry in these crucial time of uncertainty , then India will not be able to stand up again, post Covid – 19 lockdown is lifted, said Shri Singh. The government will generate 10 lakh employment in the rural areas, because if we do not generate income in the rural area then a state like Uttar Pradesh will have a severe adverse impact, as 70% of the population is in the rural area, so rural income has to be sustained orelse the entire consumerism will fail, said Shri Siddhatrth Nath Singh. We humbly request the industry to support the government in retaining the migrant workers, by accommodating them in the factory area or nearby locations, as once these labourers leave for their hometowns, it will be a bigger issue to get them back to work, and the industry will suffer, said Shri Singh. While stating that the UP State government is working day and night to frame investor friendly policy to attract foreign investment inflow in the state, Shri Singh said businesses will not be the same as it was pre-lock down, but post lockdown there will be opportunities which we need to turn to our advantage. We are balancing well and moving ahead , we assure the industry for an effective solution and it may also be understood that the way the industry is moving ahead, strategically and taking each step very carefully, your government is also strategically taking each step ahead carefully, yet we assure you our full support for the industry and its revival, said Shri Siddharth Nath Singh. Dr D K Aggarwal, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in his presidential welcome remarks appreciated the governments pro-active and preventive measures undertaken to contain the spread of Covid -19 and saving the lives of its citizens. Now is the time that the government thinks of the future of its industry and take responsible futuristic measures like, addressing the movement of migrant labour issue faced by the industry, wages and salaries of the labour force and upliftment of the MSMEs before they perish with the hard impact of Covid -19 , among others , said Dr D K Aggarwal. PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry urges the government to provide an increased stimulus relief package of Rs 16 lakh crore, which accounts to around 7% of GDP, sooner than later to mitigate the impact of Pandemic COVID-19 on economy, trade and Industry through various relief measures and benefits, said Dr D K Aggarwal, President, PHD Chamber. A significant stimulus of 7% of GDP will help the economy to grow at around 5% in the current financial year 2020-21, rejuvenate the businesses and refuel the economic growth trajectory of the country, said Dr Aggarwal. At this juncture, it is extremely crucial to resume the economic activities and revive the stricken Indian Industry, which will go a long way in creating employment, reviving incomes and eventually creating demand in the economy, said Dr Aggarwal. We urge the government to come up with a well-balanced stimulus package which considers saving lives and livelihood of the citizens with equal weightage and at the same time takes into account the tenure of the lockdown extension, said Dr Aggarwal. Mr Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary General, PHD Chamber, presented the formal vote of thanks to Shri Siddharth Nath Singh and appreciated his efforts in motivating and supporting the industry in all possible manner. The session witnessed a participation of above 150 and was moderated by Dr Ranjeet Mehta, Principal Director, PHD Chamber. The webinar was attended by Mr Sanjay Aggrawal, Senior Vice President, PHD Chmaber, Mr Pradeep Multani, Vice President, PHD Chamber, Mr Mahesh Gupta, Former President PHD Chamber, Mr Gopal Jiwrajka , Former President PHD Chamber, Dr Lalit Khaitan , Mentor, U P Chapter, PHD Chamber, Mr Manoj Gaur, Chair, UP Chapter, many senior PHD Chamber members and industry stalwarts. The Webinar was supported by Radico Khaitan and Gaur Sons. Ends. Media Division PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry