Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Union Food Processing Industries Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on April 28, 2020, chaired a video conference with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and its members to discuss the current outlook of food processing industry and requirements of the industry post lockdown scenario. She was welcomed by the Secretary General of FICCI Dilip Chenoy and was also thanked for her continuous support to the food industry since the beginning of the lockdown.
Badal cited the importance of the industry to revive its operations at full capacity without compromising the measures for containment of spread of COVID 19. The task force of the Ministry, led by senior officials and members of Invest India, has already been coordinating with the industry members and assisting them with the issues / challenges faced across states.
The Minister pointed at the major concern of losing the harvested crops and perishables in different parts of the country. During the video conference held on April 28, 2020, Badal requested all members to come forward to procure these harvested wheat, paddy, fruits & vegetables and other perishables so that wastage can be minimised and the farmers are benefitted.
The industry members cited few existing issues for necessary intervention of the ministry. They included requirement of SOP for operating facilities in different containment zones, dedicated nodal officials for the food processing industry at state levels to address challenges, standardised protocol for issuing worker passes to operate facilities and maintain supply chain, re-evaluating the process of identifying COVID clusters / regions etc.
Union Minister agreed with the industry’s voice on requirement of detailed guidelines for the food factories to operate in containment zones as well as with the idea of 60-75% workers being allowed to operate in facilities if industry was able to ensure necessary measures to protect their workers. Ideas on reviving the retail industry were also invited from the industry, according to a PIB release. The members mentioned that the food industry was expected to witness growth due to in-home increase in demand of larger value food packs and also shared the industry would start reviving as soon as the supply chain was re-established.
Pushpa Subrahmanyam, Secretary FPI, thanked FICCI and its members for their support in maintaining the supply of food products in this critical time. Secretary FPI advised the industry members to share specific issues with the Grievance Cell to enable the team to resolve the same. A working model was also invited from the industry for the Government to consider allowing greater workforce to join the facilities. Suggestions were also invited from the members to frame a scheme to support the food industry.