April 6, 2020
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries announced that it is in meeting with all the important department heads to help in resolving concerns raised by the processed food industry during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Recently, Union Minister of FPI, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, held a video-conference with industry associations including ASSOCHAM, CII, FICCI, and PHDCCI, seeking suggestions on government interventions required to support the food industry.
“The Ministry said the Grievance Cell formed to resolve the micro issues faced by the industry and facilitate supply chain and logistics management for availability of food and medicines, had resolved 50 per cent of about 348 queries received, while the rest were in the pipeline,” an official statement added.
“The Union Minister invited suggestions from industry leaders to ensure smooth functioning of the food processing industry once the lockdown is lifted. The industry raised concerns including the need for labourers to return; they suggested that special trains may be needed for that; industry further raised the issue of immediate liquidity crunch and that working capital was needed to procure agri-produce, among others,” added the official.