Minister P Mathan Raja urges MSMEs to take flood precautions
Micro, small and medium enterprises should protect machinery and workers during the northeast monsoon, according to The New Indian Express.
Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Tamil Nadu have been advised to take precautionary steps to prevent damage from heavy rains and flooding, according to The New Indian Express.
MSME Minister P Mathan Raja stated that businesses in flood-prone areas, including SIDCO industrial estates, should move electrical equipment, raw materials, finished goods, and costly machinery to elevated locations.
The Minister said that factory owners must ensure rainwater drains are clear and check electrical control panels. He added that power should be disconnected during floods and only trained staff should manage electrical tools.
Minister Raja also advised entrepreneurs to verify if insurance policies cover natural disasters. He suggested that businesses take photos and videos of damaged assets as evidence before cleaning affected areas.
To support recovery, the Minister said affected MSMEs could approach banks to discuss loan restructuring, repayment relief, or additional working capital, depending on eligibility.
The Minister directed SIDCO and District Industries Centres (DICs) to identify vulnerable units and inspect drainage. He called for district-level monitoring committees to coordinate with banks and insurance companies to help businesses resume operations.