Don’t cut jobs amid coronavirus crisis: PM Modi urges India Inc

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with industry representatives from ASSOCHAM, FICCI, CII and several local chambers from 18 cities across the country via video conference on March 23. This is due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown. The PM expressed his concern on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the Indian economy, also asked them to allow employees to work from home and not to cut down on the workforce.

The PM further said that the challenge posed by the pandemic is “graver than even that posed by the World Wars and we need to be on constant vigil to prevent its spread. He further revealed that the informal sector will face the brunt and the impact on the overall economy will be felt gradually. Several sectors like tourism, construction, hospitality and other small businesses, including the informal sector, have been badly hit.

The meeting also discussed the issues being faced by sectors like banking, finance, hospitality, tourism, infrastructure and requested the government for help to overcome these challenges through financial and fiscal assistance. The PM asked the pharma sector to work on the manufacture of RNA testing kits for COVID-19 on a war footing.

Prime Minister Modi said it is imperative that the production of essential items should not be impacted at this time, and black marketing and hoarding be prevented. He also asked them to maintain ‘swachhta’ and follow medical advice to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at factories, offices, and workplaces.

PM Narendra Modi emphasized that social distancing remains the biggest weapon in our fight against preventing the spread of the virus.

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