Agriculture Minister K. Kannababu and East Godavari officials led by Joint Collector G. Lakshmisha on Tuesday ensured all support from the State government to the edible oil companies on the Kakinada coast to resume operations.
Operations in about 10 edible oil companies came to a grinding halt since COVID-19 lockdown came into force as workers stopped coming citing the health alert. The major groups engaged in the edible oil production and trade on the Kakinada coast include GEF, Adani, Wilmer, Ruchi, Kaleswara and Agarwal.
The representatives of the edible oil companies have sought the intervention of the State government to persuade the workforce to resume duties and sought permission for inter-State transportation.
“Since edible oil is an essential commodity, all the field-level initiatives are being taken to resume the operation of the oil companies and in return, the companies have also pledged some incentives and special care for workers till the lockdown is over,” Mr. Lakshmisha told The Hindu.
Addressing the representatives of the companies, Mr. Kannababu said that the State government would address the shortage of workers in the companies in Kakinada and Krishnapatnam.
MARKFED Managing Director Kantanath Reddy and other officials were present.
