UCCI appeals PM, CM to provide succor to Fani-hit entrepreneurs in Odisha

Surjit Kumar Dhal, BHUBANESWAR, MAY 21: The UtKal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI), one of the oldest trade bodies of the State, spearheading the cause of commerce and industry, has appealed the Prime Minister to take a few urgent steps for revival of the shattered industrial units in the Fani-affected coastal districts of Odisha.

The proposed measures sought by the UCCI are Relaxation of interest rates on loans. Relaxation on application of GST for at least 3 months, partial waiver of loan and also grant of subsidy.

In its letter to the Prime Minister, the UCCI President Ramesh Mohapatra said the recent devastating cyclone ‘Fani’ that scourged  Odisha coast on May 3,  ravaged a number of vital establishments and units involved in industrial production and trade and commerce activities.

More particularly, the letter said, the districts of Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur including the State Capital Bhubaneswar have been the worst victims of the cyclonic fury.

Stating that the industrial units as well as the trade and commerce establishments of these places have suffered a lot during the cyclone which had its disastrous effects on all such units in the above places, the letter said now it is an uphill task for the entrepreneurs to revive their units as the losses are of gigantic proportions.

“It will be several months before the units are able to revive and are back in operation. They would still be incurring the recurring expenses like, salary and wages to the employees, minimum power bill and other overhead expenses,” the letter to the Prime Minister said adding that being the apex body of entrepreneurs in the State it is UCCI’s sacrosanct duty to champion their grievances before the Government and all other authorities so as to get them the desired relief in reviving the units at the earliest.

The UCCI made a fervent plea in the letter for relaxation of interest rates on loans, relaxation on application of GST for at least three months, and partial waiver of loan and also grant of subsidy which, it hoped, which will go a long way in revival of the affected units.

The UCCI also submitted a similar memorandum to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik appealing that demand charges on electricity bill may be waived for at least a month, electricity duty may be waived for at least three months, rehabilitation subsidy may be granted to the MSME units and banks may be advised to rephrase the loans, waive interest for at least three months and sanction required funds to MSME units for expeditious restoration.

“We would sincerely appeal your goodself to kindly look into the interest of the MSMEs by considering our above genuine demands which will help in effective and expeditious revival of all the Industry,” Mohapatra said in the letter.

The UCCI also wrote another letter to the Chief Minister for revival of Hotel Industry, particul