Over 1,300 firms get MIDC nod to resume work amid lockdown

Mumbai, Apr 21 () Over 1,300 companies, includingmanufacturing units, foundries, textile firms, have receivedthe Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation's (MIDC)certification to resume their operations amid the COVID-19lockdown.

The MIDC is the state government's nodal agency tofacilitate industries in terms of land allotment, permissionsand policy making.

"We received registration of some 3,000 industriesacross the state, of which 1,300 have received certificationfrom the state to resume production, processing ormanufacturing," a senior MIDC official told .

As many as 20,000 employees will report to work atthese companies, of which 60 per cent will get accommodationsnear their plants, the official said.

On April 3, the MIDC launched a portal calledhttp://permission.midcindia.org and asked companies to submittheir proposals to resume operations.

"The MIDC has made it mandatory for companies toenforce social distancing at work, provide adequate supply ofsanitisers and temporary accommodation to employees tillfurther notice," he said.

Companies that adhere to these norms will getcertification to begin operations and so far, 1,355 units havebeen permitted, the official said.

Of the 1,355 units, 752 were located within MIDCareas, while remaining units were outside its limits, he said.

Manufacturing, textile, processing and productionunits have been given permits and all types of industrialactivities were allowed without restrictions, he added.

When asked about accommodation, he said that 40 percent employees live in green zones or close to theirworkplaces.

Large industries will have to operate with only 50 percent of staff, while medium and small-scale companies canoperate with full capacity, the official clarified. NDARU ARU