Corporation officials' stringent on small businesses operating on essential functions: FOCIA
Coimbatore: Lockdown relaxations have not been made in Coimbatore district, but factories that produce essential commodities are only allowed to operate with less staff even during the lockdown.
FOCIA in a press release said, "Agricultural machinery, automobile, medical equipment, military equipment, and food production are allowed to operate in factories and export industries. Thus, the corporation officials are coming to inspect if the factories are functioning as per the notification of the Tamil Nadu government. Corporation officials who come for such inspections ask if the operating factories have the permission required by the District Collector.
Since the lockdown began, no separate permit has been issued by the district collector's office for essential factories. Factories operating in any State of Tamil Nadu are not required to obtain a permit from the District Collector. Corporation officials who come to inspect refuse to accept this and impose fines. They are forcing the factories to impose fines for operating without the permission of the District Collector. Even if we show orders for export or any other documents they ignore it."
It further said, "As a result, only a handful of factories with 50 per cent staffing are operating. Workers are also losing their jobs. Debt-ridden small businesses lose all of their income and are forced to run out of orders. The district administration made it clear last week that there was no system in place for the district collector to issue a separate "permit" to factories in the production of essential commodities. Again, the district administration has made it clear that the notification of the Tamil Nadu government (60) is sufficient.
We respectfully submit this to the officers who come to inspect. Corporation officials continue to close factories that manufacture essential commodities saying it is in violation of government orders. We therefore urge the esteemed Corporation Commissioner to immediately intervene and inspect the officers, instructing them to refrain from asking for District Collector's permit. We also urge the government to allow the operation of small industries in compliance with the appropriate coronavirus safety measures."
FOCIA in a press release said, "Agricultural machinery, automobile, medical equipment, military equipment, and food production are allowed to operate in factories and export industries. Thus, the corporation officials are coming to inspect if the factories are functioning as per the notification of the Tamil Nadu government. Corporation officials who come for such inspections ask if the operating factories have the permission required by the District Collector.
Since the lockdown began, no separate permit has been issued by the district collector's office for essential factories. Factories operating in any State of Tamil Nadu are not required to obtain a permit from the District Collector. Corporation officials who come to inspect refuse to accept this and impose fines. They are forcing the factories to impose fines for operating without the permission of the District Collector. Even if we show orders for export or any other documents they ignore it."
It further said, "As a result, only a handful of factories with 50 per cent staffing are operating. Workers are also losing their jobs. Debt-ridden small businesses lose all of their income and are forced to run out of orders. The district administration made it clear last week that there was no system in place for the district collector to issue a separate "permit" to factories in the production of essential commodities. Again, the district administration has made it clear that the notification of the Tamil Nadu government (60) is sufficient.
We respectfully submit this to the officers who come to inspect. Corporation officials continue to close factories that manufacture essential commodities saying it is in violation of government orders. We therefore urge the esteemed Corporation Commissioner to immediately intervene and inspect the officers, instructing them to refrain from asking for District Collector's permit. We also urge the government to allow the operation of small industries in compliance with the appropriate coronavirus safety measures."