Mumbai: Maharashtra is focusing on avoiding Lockdown and Knockdown amidst the corona pandemic, while highlighting its efforts at ensuring good heath of people and industry in the state, said Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
“A ‘bio-bubble’ should be created by industries for those coming to work, and should include arrangements for workplace accommodation, medical and other necessary facilities, which would be supported by the Government,” he said, adding that with the monsoons bringing rain-related diseases, prevention of dengue, malaria due to water-logged places should be emphasized.
“We are facing an infection that is more dangerous than the virus in UK, and the fact that our state industry is operating — even in Corona times – highlights our unique example for the rest of India,” Thackeray said in a video-conferencing session with leading industrialists in the state.
Though the world appreciated the state’s authorities handling of Covid-19 in Mumbai, greater focus was needed on dealing with the changing nature of the virus, and the Government is taking a calculated risk to avoid both +lockdown and knockdown+ by imposing certain criteria and levels including wearing masks in public places, vaccinating workers, working in shifts, and encouraging work from home, he said.
In another virtual event recently, the Chief Minister urged for the setting up of a Gems and Jewelery Park (IJPM) in Navi Mumbai, that would “one of the best in the world” in terms of industry and tourism.
The presentation of the Gems and Jewelery Park was made by Colin Shah, President, Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).
Highlighting government co-operation for construction of this park, he said Mumbai is leading the gem and jewellery industry in the country with highest exports in this regard, possibility of foreign investment, and generation of business turnover and employment opportunities through influx of outside industries.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Minister for Industries Subhash Desai said despite the pandemic, the MIDC will assist in the unaffected day-to-day working of small and medium enterprises through setting up of 53 MIDC-run restaurants and government land for setting up public facilities.
Lauding the government’s efforts, many entrepreneurs and industrialists present on the occasion expressed their support while urging for: vaccination and care of unorganized class industry sector, IT sector working from home, emphasis on even the smallest +containment+ zones, restricting permissions for large gatherings and removing police checkposts to avoid traffic congestion and slow movement.
