With industries getting severely affected due to Covid-19, the Cabinet has decided to step in and bring certain reforms. The state must spur industrialization in the post-pandemic period, said Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy.
βThe Factories Act 1948 will be amended to increase the threshold of workers in power aided industrial units from 10 to 20. Meanwhile, the limit has been raised to 40 from 20 workers in units without the aid of power,β said Tripathy.
The units engaging manpower less than 20 where the manufacturing process is being carried on with the aid of power and manpower less than 40 where it is being run without the aid of power will be exempted from license, renewal, approval of plans, payment of fees and regular inspections,β he added.
Notably, the Act has also been tweaked to allow women to work from 7 pm to 6 am. However, this is subject to their safety and security being ensured.
Tripathy said many of these amendments are aimed at drawing more investment and generating additional employment. It would also minimise hardships caused to MSMEs due to the pandemic.
The Cabinet approved 20 proposals in total. This will help improve drinking water, running of factories, public health infrastructure, COVID-19 testing facilities, among others.