KASSIA warns against lockdown; to hit MSMEs

Bengaluru, 4 Jan (KNN) The Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) has cautioned the government from imposing lockdown and to reflect on the fears of micro and small scale industries who are yet to recover fully from the devastating effects of the earlier lockdowns during the first and second wave of the pandemic.

The rising number of coronavirus cases daily should not lead to any knee-jerk reaction in the form of a lockdown or other harsher measures from the State government, KASSIA said in a press release.

The Bengaluru based association has suggested steps like partially or fully shutting down the industries, raw material outlets and reducing the supply of industrial oxygen to industries, the government should focus on strictly enforcing wearing of masks and maintenance of social distance by citizens in public places and clamping down on public events and mass gatherings.

While reiterating that it will advise its Member-units and MSEs to scrupulously follow all Covid-19 protocols and SOP announced by the government, stated KASSIA.

“Another lockdown may force many micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to down shutters and add to the unemployment problem,” KASSIA pointed out, and added that all expectations of the economy being on a rebound will evaporate in no time.