However the government admitted that “Covid-19 epidemic has temporarily affected various sectors including micro, small scale enterprises which also affected job scenario”. More interestingly, it went on to add that there was no data on the number of MSMEs closed down from FY 2014-15 to FY 2019-20 either.

However, it listed the measures the government has taken for the sector, including the Rs 20,000 crore subordinate debt for MSMEs, Rs 3 lakh crore collateral-free automatic loans for business, including MSMEs, and Rs 50,000 crore equity infusion through an ‘MSME Fund of Funds’.

According to reports, data which was used to address the Covid-induced problems was largely from 2013. The latest data available on MSMEs is based on the Economic Census of 2013. There was no studies conducted after that to assess the actual number of these units and it’s turnover. The only data the ministry owns is the number of registered MSMEs.

The post No record of the number of MSMEs that shut down during the lockdown: Centre appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

Diesel price scaled to a new high after prices were hiked for the 22nd time in just over three weeks. Petrol price has now increased by 5 paise a litre and diesel 13 paise a litre across the country by state oil marketing companies.

In Delhi, petrol price per litre was raised to Rs.80.43 as compared to Rs 80.38 earlier. Meanwhile, diesel price has been increased to Rs.80.53 a litre from Rs Rs.80.40.
In Mumbai, petrol price went up from Rs.87.14 per litre to Rs.87.19, while diesel was hiked to Rs.78.83 from Rs.78.71.

Rates differ from state to state depending on the incidence of value-added tax (VAT).

While the diesel price has been hiked for the 22nd time since June 7, petrol price has been raised on 21 occasions. There was no change in prices on Sunday.

The post Diesel, Petrol prices soar high appeared first on The Gulf Indians.