Industries may resume soon in areas not hit by COVID-19: Pawar

Mumbai, Apr 30 () NCP chief Sharad Pawar onThursday said he is sure that steps will be taken soon toresume business activities in parts of Maharashtra which arenot hit by COVID-19, to bring the state's economy on track andrestore normalcy after the lockdown ends on May 3.

In his address via Facebook Live, Pawar said differentdecisions on movement restrictions may be taken in connectionwith coronavirus hotspots like Mumbai and Pune.

Pawar said steps to relax curbs should be taken on thecondition of adhering strictly to social distancing norms tokeep the deadly coronavirus at bay.

He expressed concern over the rise in number ofCOVID-19 cases in Mumbai, Pune, Malegaon, Aurangabad and otherparts of Maharashtra, noting that the cases are mainly fromdensely-populated areas.

"The lockdown period will end on May 3. We are allears towards what future steps Prime Minister (Narendra Modi)will announce. But I am sure, barring areas which are badlyhit, steps will be taken to resume activities/businesseselsewhere (in areas not hit by COVID-19) soon," he said.

Such instructions have been given to districtcollectors and care will be taken to restore normalcy, theformer Union minister said.

Noting that the state is facing an economic crisis,Pawar said there is a need to resume operations of factories/industries and people need to go to work.

"Enough of sitting inside. It needs to be seen howfactories resume operations and steps are taken to bring theeconomy back on track, he added.

The veteran leader said the Maharashtra governmentalso wants industries to resume operations as factories andindustries are important for (the growth of) the state.

He, however, cautioned people to not defy socialdistancing norms even if restrictions on movement are relaxedafter May 3 in certain areas.

Pawar said the lockdown has affected Maharashtra'seconomy badly and it is set to suffer in terms of revenueincome collection during the ongoing fiscal.

He said as per the 2020-21 budget estimates, theMaharashtra government was expected to get around Rs 3.47 lakhcrore revenue income.

But, due to the economic activities coming to a haltin the state following the lockdown, a revenue deficit of Rs1.40 lakh crore, or loss of 40 per cent, is expected, he said.

"This will have a bearing on the developmental worksof the state. So, there is a health crisis and also aneconomic crisis, Pawar said.

Referring to the letter he wrote to Modi a few daysback to apprise the prime minister about the economicsituation, Pawar said both the Centre and state governmentsshould together find a way to overcome the difficult times.

He said the Centre should strengthen the stateseconomically to overcome the present challenge.

Pawar also talked about the agrarian distresstriggered by the COVID-19 outbreak, and called for takingmeasures like restructuring farm and crop loans, givingconcessions in payment of interest rates by farmers.

The interest rate on crop loans should be brought downto zero to help peasants, he added.

Pawar also demanded steps to address the issue ofunemployment resulting from the lockdown.

He praised the state machinery, particularly doctors,nurses and policemen, for working hard to fight COVID-19.

Expressing concern over the attacks on doctors andpolicemen, he said strict action will be initiated againstthose engaged in such acts. ENM GK GK