About 700 MSMEs closed down in Latur since Dec 2015

Latur, May 14 (KNN) The problems of the Micro, Small and Medium Industries (MSMEs) in drought-hit Latur (Maharashtra) still remains unsolved due to shortage of water in the area.

The water trains which have been sent to the region has solved the drinking water problem but the industries are still waiting for the rains to again make the units functional.

Talking to KNN, the Owner of the Vision Industries and Tractors, Prashant Tawde said that water which came through train in Latur was only for the drinking purpose.

Industries are not getting any water and the last tanker came here four days back which costs around Rs. 1000 for 4000 Litres of water, he explained.

Suraj Barge, who owns Vaibhav Industries, explained that Latur city required around 3.5 Crore Liter water per day whereas the water received through train is not sufficient in this condition.

He said that as per the reports around 700 industries have been closed since December, 2015.

Industries are facing huge losses due to all this, he cried.

One more Industrialist Prashant Rathi, owner of Kalpkala Paper Industries said that industries are not getting water through tankers.

Since two months’ work of the industry has completely stalled, he said.

Indian railways on Thursday sent a bill of Rs. 4 crore to Latur District Collector towards transportation cost of water. In the last one month, the railways has provided about six crore litres of water to Latur (Maharashtra).

But later the Railway Ministry clarified the issue and said that Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhu who is personally monitoring the entire operation has directed that the Indian Railways will continue to run the trains till the time there is a need of water and the settlement of the operational expenses will never be a constraint in this regard. The Minister has further ordered that the estimate of expenditure which was sent to the Latur Administration, on their request, will be withdrawn immediately. The issue of settlement of dues is being considered separately by the Railway Ministry.

The statement further said that Indian Railways has always been committed to meet the social obligations and will continue to be in the forefront in offering assistance to the people of the country as and when needed. (KNN Bureau)