Kerala CM claims Centre gave nothing to small scale industries; demands special package

Even as Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has anunced stimulus pack for MSMEs, migrant workers, street vendors, and is scheduled to anunce more in upcoming days, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday demanded a special financial pack for small-scale industries and entrepreneurs.

While briefing media on Coronavirus situation in his state, CM Vijayan said that pack anunced by Centre on Wednesday does t dress needs of small-scale entrepreneurs. He also said such entrepreneurs h raised a few demands, including a one-year moratorium on existing loans and avoid interest during this period.

"In pack, only demand of sanctioning of loans was considered, that too, at mercy of banks. Waiver of interest has t been considered during moratorium period", he said. Furr, he claimed that pack only has minal spending from Union government's budget. Urging banks and industries to come toger, he said that state government will try to intervene in order to benefit entire ecomy.

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Kerala CM also said that state government needs help of Centre to write off charges of electricity of small-scale industries. In dition to that, workers in small-scale sector need to be given financial aid, chief minister said.

" Union Finance Minister should discuss se issues with state finance ministers and come up with a clear strategy to help states continue ir healthcare and social security activities," he said.

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Sitharaman's anuncements

On Wednesday, Finance Minister Sitharaman unveiled first set of measures for MSMEs which included Rs. 3 lakh crore collateral-free automatic loans for business, Rs. 20,000 crore subordinate debt, new definition of MSMEs, Rs. 2500 crore EPF support for business and workers for 3 more months, etc. She stated that PM Narendra Modi laid down vision of Atmanirbhar India (self-reliant India) after deep consultation with several sections of society. She also mentioned that focus of pack is on factors of production- land, labour, liquidity and ors.

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On Thursday, anuncing nine steps to aid migrant workers, street vendors, small farmers, self-employed people, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, rolled out free food grains, nationalised ration card, affordable rental housing for urban poor - all aimed at India's migrant population. She also extended several schemes for housing, street vendors and housing to provide relief till March 2021. 

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