Surat: As Surat’s traders, industrial units and small businesses count the cost of recent flooding, the Gujarat govt’s rehabilitation package has won strong backing from industry. The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) says the measures will accelerate recovery and help restore economic activity across the flood-hit region.The SGCCI welcomed the Gujarat govt’s rehabilitation assistance package announced for business and commercial establishments affected by the recent floods in Surat city and district.SGCCI president Ashok Jirawala and other office-bearers expressed gratitude to chief minister Bhupendra Patel and minister of state for home Harsh Sanghavi for the relief measures.Jirawala said the govt’s swift response reminded the business community of the large-scale recovery efforts undertaken after the devastating 2006 floods.“The govt’s swift response revived memories of the 2006 flood management approach, recalling how rapid restoration of power, roads and large-scale clean-up then helped restart trade within days. The current administration, along with Union Jal Shakti minister C R Patil, took on-ground decisions aimed at re-energising Surat’s economy,” he said.The chamber stated that damage assessments and representations submitted by SGCCI on behalf of the textile, diamond and MSME sectors were given serious consideration by the state govt while framing the package.According to the chamber, the measures address several of the immediate operational and financial challenges faced by flood-affected businesses.Among the key provisions is one-time financial assistance for small livelihood operators. Lari and handcart vendors will receive Rs 7,500, small cabin operators Rs 25,000 and large cabin operators Rs 50,000.For shops and GST-registered units that filed returns for the previous quarter, the package offers a choice between direct financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh or a 7% interest subsidy for three years on term loans of up to Rs 30 lakh.The state govt also announced a one-year property tax waiver for residential and commercial properties located in flood-affected areas.In addition, a high-level committee headed by the additional chief secretary of the urban development department has been formed to recommend long-term solutions to recurring creek-related flooding.SGCCI also appreciated the state’s relief and sanitation efforts following the floods.The chamber noted that more than 9,000 sanitation workers were deployed for clean-up operations and that household and cash assistance worth Rs 13.15 crore had been disbursed to affected residents by July 14.
