Lockdown woes: Telangana trade body seeks extension of sops

Hyderabad, Apr 16 () Citing the extension of theongoing coronavirus lockdown till May 3, the Federation ofTelangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI) hasrequested the Centre to further continue the supportivemeasures announced by it earlier.

FTCCI president Karunendra S Jastialso said thegovernment's three weeks national lockdown announced earlierto control the coronavirus spread was showing "positiveeffect". He however, said the woes of industrial and businessentities cannot be addressed with the earlier packages andthere was need to further extend the supportive measures "torevive the economic activities and strengthen the industriesto face the challenges in the areas of finance, supply of rawmaterials, work force, marketing and logistics, Jasti said.

FTCCI urged the centre to waive off the interest on termloans and working capital facilities during the moratoriumperiod and also consider extending the loan term beyond thethree months moratorium period depending on the business need.

The pandemic outbreak affected all sectors exceptessential services to some extent and the employers are not ina position to pay the salaries to workers as the lockdownbrought all production and business activities to a standstilland rendered workers jobless, it said. GDKVS VS