Industrialists asked to give Rs 2,500 per month to workers

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 5

The Police Commissioner today conducted a meeting with the representatives industrial organisations of the city and asked them to prevent exodus of workers. The top cop, Rakesh Agrawal, who represented the state government, told the industrialists to give a minimum Rs 2,500 or ration to their workers for April so that they don’t return to their native places.

Ashok Makkar, president of Ludhiana Dying Association, told The Tribune that about 30 representatives of various industrial organisations were present who held deliberations with the CP and DCP Ashwani Kapoor.

“If workers returned to their native places, industrial production might suffer when lockdown period was over. We in principal agreed to the directions of the top cop. After all the workers are our precious asset,” said Makkar.

He said the industrialists also submitted a list of their demands to the CP.

Makkar said though industry is shut due to lockdown, fixed charges of electricity are still being borne by industrialists. They want the government to waive those charges. As they were not able to pay instalments of bank loans, the government should also extend the time period of instalments.

Makkar said their other demands included timely refund of GST, special package to industry so that it could stand on its own feet and beat China. “The local industry is dependent on China for various things such as raw material and technology. If the government gives us some package, we can become self-sufficient in all respects and we will not require anything from China,” he said.