Chennai March 23 (KNN) As the COVID-19 cases in Indian risen to 415, like all other associations, the Coimbatore District Small Scale Industries Association (CODISSIA) too has requested the government for a moratorium of six months for all Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

It has also submitted a memorandum to the Tamil Nadu government.

CODISSIA President R Ramamurthy feared that if the industries are close down, how payments will be made to employees at least to meet their basic requirements.

“Most members ask if they have to close down their factories, if I say yes, then how will they pay their employees,” asked R Ramamurthy.

“If we reach stage III and ordered to lock down, it will take a minimum three months to restart factories, recover losses and can move on by June. Another major challenge will be payment of salary to employees. We need to pay them at least for to help meet minimum requirement,” he added.

Reportedly, CODISSIA has also submitted its representation to Prime Minister, Finance Minister and MSME minister on the impact of Covid-19 on MSME industries.

CODISSIA in its representation, requested government to provide relief by considering some measures by provided by them.

“The government should give us a relief for the lock down period by giving suitable instructions to banks not to charge interest on loan amounts and all other dues to the banks for the said period,” CODISSIA said.