Sudden sealing of state borders making difficult to operate in Delhi NCR: EPCES

Seeking a stable policy for operations of units amid COVID-19, a representative body of special economic zones on Friday flagged that sudden sealing of borders in the National Capital Region is making it difficult for businesses to operate factories. "We request that either a nationwide stable policy may be issued, applicable in all the states for the running of businesses or don't put any operative guidelines and compliances for trade and industry and not to press upon payment of salaries to workers without any business," Export Promotion Council for Special Economic Zones and Export Oriented Units (EPCES) said.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, EPCES Vice-Chairman Bhuvnesh Seth said that due to uncertain and sudden sealing of state borders in Delhi NCR, it is very difficult to operate business units. Industrial towns are on national highways and state governments have sealed borders which is causing 3-5 km long traffic jam, he said.

Industrial areas adjoining Delhi are NOIDA, Faridabad, Gurugram, and Kundli and most of the owners and senior staff live in the national capital, he said. "Owners of the factories are unable to get travel permission and finding it difficult to reach their factories in above industrial areas," he said.

He added that the industry is already in huge losses due to cancellation of orders and delay in payments. "Exporters are being told to increase export at any cost on the other hand state governments are not providing any assistance to the exporters and daily revising their guidelines to operate," Seth said.

EPCES represents more than 7,000 EOUs and SEZs with exports of USD 113 billion (one-third of the country's exports), and direct employment of more than 2.5 million people with an investment of more than USD 70 billion, Seth added..