Proposal for relief to MSME sector on account of coronavirus

A proposal has been sent to the Finance Ministry suggesting measures for providing relief to micro, small and medium industries to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said in Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

Replying to a debate on working of the MSME Ministry, Gadkari said the sector is facing a big challenge on account of the coronavirus outbreak.

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"I have sent recommendations to the Finance Minister on how to protect the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME)," Gadkari said.

The minister, however, did not disclose the recommendations made to the Finance Ministry, saying it would not be fair on his part to reveal the details as a meeting is scheduled for Friday.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has called a meeting on Friday to discuss the proposals, the minister said.

"There has been impact of the coronavirus on the MSME sector ...It is a natural calamity," Gadkari said.

India has reported four deaths due to COVID-19 so far and the number of novel coronavirus cases in the country has risen to 173.