Chennai MSMEs allege bias in grant of permission to restart operations

They say they may end up losing the orders on hand to units in other belts; may not be able to pay April wages; foresee law and order problem with agitated labour

The Confederation of SIDCO Industrial Associations, which represent MSMEs in and around Chennai, have raised concerns about the inequitable way in which industries have been permitted to resume functioning from May 7.

These associations represent MSMEs located in industrial estates within Chennai and on the outskirts of the city. The combined annual turnover of these set-ups is about Rs 26,250 crore. These enterprises have alleged that they have not been granted permission to open, with officials citing increased cases of Covid-19 infections, the Confederation said. It added that this could lead to large manufacturing companies seeking to shift moulds and dies