ASSOCHAM suggests measures to sustain economic activity

In a comprehensive plan for gradual lifting of the lockdown, the ASSOCHAM has suggested that several selective but key sectors of trade and industry, should be allowed to resume operations, with strict adherence to social distancing norms and other precautionary measures suggested by the Government. This would help mitigate the business and job loss that Indian industries are facing amid the Covid-19 outbreak. “Based on wide consultations with various stakeholders, we found that there is a wide support for the measures being taken by the Centre and states for containing the global pandemic. However, with shut-down of a large part of the economy and businesses coming to a standstill, the losses are rising and the jobs are increasingly at risk. As the containment efforts are on war-footing, India has been able to contain the spread so far and we must prepare to reboot the economy," said ASSOCHAM Secretary General, Deepak Sood, releasing a report on 'Business Continuity Measures' The report suggests that migrant labour available within states should be encouraged to pick up work based on their skill-set, to meet the sudden peak in demand when businesses re-open post the lockdown.