Union food processing industries minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal assured industry representatives that a dedicated task force had been established to resolve all problems being faced by the food processing and ancillary industries during the current Covid-19 lockdown. 

In a video conference with major industry associations such as CII (the Confederation of Indian Industry), FICCI (the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry), ASSOCHAM (the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India), PHDCCI (PHD Chambers of Commerce and Industry), AIFPA (the All India Food Processors’ Association), ICC, FINER and DICCI, she added that the task force included all senior officials of the food processing ministry and members of Invest India.

Badal said the team had already received 222 issues, out of which 98 had been resolved, and the rest were under process of resolution. 

During the video conference, industry representatives told the minister that though directions had been sent to all state governments about the need for allowing the manufacturing and movement of essential items, they were being interpreted in different ways by them. They stressed the need for a uniform format for all states regarding the manufacturing and movement of food products. 

The representatives shared the problems related to factory shutdown, permission to operate warehouses, personnel movement and logistic disruption, and added that required labour was not available for smooth manufacturing and that there was a shortage of transport also. They stated that kirana stores should be allowed to open across the country to ensure the forward linkage was established. 

Badal said, “Talks would be initiated with the transport unions to ensure smooth supply of food material and access to raw materials by the food processing industry.” 

She assured industry representatives that she would review all suggestions and grievances submitted by them to the task force.