CHENNAI, NOVEMBER 26, 2015
R BALAJI
The Hindu
Small and tiny sector businesses are estimated to have suffered over ?200-crore damage to machinery and materials over the last two weeks, according to the Tamil Nadu Small and Tiny Industries Association.
The worst-affected areas are Chennai, Thiruvallur, Villupuram and Cuddalore with initial estimates of damages at around ?200 crore and about 10,000 lost man days, according to the associations President C Muthusami.
The association has asked for details from its district chapters which will be available in a couple of days, he said. Parts of the Ambattur industrial estate are still under water and only after the water recedes and repair works start can accurate estimates be made, Muthusami added.
According to the Cuddalore District MSME Association President, S Ashok, in Cuddalore alone, which is the worst-affected, the damage is estimated at about ?35 crore with small industrial sheds, saw mills, workshops and cashew-based industries having been completely washed away.
The association will represent to banks to reschedule loans and provide support. A number of these units are under government-sponsored schemes, he said.
According to Tanstia representatives, the district associations will represent their case to the administration which will be forwarded to the high-level Central committee that is touring the State.
Tiny sector entrepreneurs who work out of their houses entire families involved in food businesses such as those making pickle, pappadam and sweets were badly hit by the flooding.