A COVID19 Relief Package for SMEs

23 Mar 2020 CW Team

Here is the "Relief Package" that the Govt of India needs to introduce for SMEs due to the COVID19 outbreak.

1. Defer tax payment deadlines by a month
2. All defaults on contracts expecting execution by March to be given a three-month extension.
3. Allow corporates / firms paying taxes of less that Rs 50 lacs, a three-month extension
4. Loan defaults which have got triggered in Jan-March 2020 to be given a six-month extension
5. Extend Vivaad se Vishwas amnesty scheme by two months and release all dues back to the taxpayer once settled.
6. Announce 'interest payment holiday' for borrowers bearing loans during Jan - March 2020 for three months
7. Align GST rates to two slabs
8. All employers, who do not retrench staff during March - June 2020 and have a turnover of less than Rs 250 crores (Rs 2.5 billion), to be given a tax deduction of 25% of tax payable
9. Tax refunds & exporter drawbacks held up need to be released on an urgent basis
10. Legal compliances for PF/ GST/ TDS need to be considered leniently for April 2020

Pratap Padode, Founder, ASAPP Info Global Group, and Founder & Executive Director at FIRST Construction Council and Smart Cities Council India

Fiscal stimulus through Direct Benefit Transfer is surely the way to help the economically weaker sections but what about the 7,00,000 tax paying SMEs? Their businesses are completely jolted and disrupted. Even from the 70 million SMEs in the country 99% have a turnover of less than Rs 250 crores (Rs 2.5 billion). They do not have the cash to run the operation for more than a month or two and hence the government needs to act and FAST! Here is the Relief Package that the Govt of India needs to introduce for SMEs due to the COVID19 outbreak.1. Defer tax payment deadlines by a month 2. All defaults on contracts expecting execution by March to be given a three-month extension. 3. Allow corporates / firms paying taxes of less that Rs 50 lacs, a three-month extension 4. Loan defaults which have got triggered in Jan-March 2020 to be given a six-month extension 5. Extend Vivaad se Vishwas amnesty scheme by two months and release all dues back to the taxpayer once settled. 6. Announce 'interest payment holiday' for borrowers bearing loans during Jan - March 2020 for three months 7. Align GST rates to two slabs 8. All employers, who do not retrench staff during March - June 2020 and have a turnover of less than Rs 250 crores (Rs 2.5 billion), to be given a tax deduction of 25% of tax payable 9. Tax refunds & exporter drawbacks held up need to be released on an urgent basis 10. Legal compliances for PF/ GST/ TDS need to be considered leniently for April 2020 Pratap Padode, Founder, ASAPP Info Global Group, and Founder & Executive Director at FIRST Construction Council and Smart Cities Council India

Infrastructure Transport

06 Aug 2026

NHAI Controlled Blasting Clears Boulders On Jammu-Srinagar Highway

The National Highways Authority of India executed high precision controlled blasting to clear massive boulders blocking the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on the Srinagar-bound corridor near Champari in Chenani, Udhampur. Heavy rainfall had caused large rocks to dislodge from an adjacent hilltop and tumble onto the carriageway, creating severe disruption for commuters, freight operators and essential supply transport. Authorities suspended all vehicular movement in the affected stretch to prioritise public safety and to allow engineers and safety experts to secure the area before detonation. ..

Infrastructure Transport

06 Aug 2026

Himachal CM Lays Foundation For 15 Road Projects In Chamba

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on the second day of his three-day visit to Chamba performed the Bhoomi Pujan for 15 new road projects of the Public Works Department. He also dedicated a newly constructed 200-bedded modern hospital at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Government Medical College and Hospital, Chamba, to the public. During the programme at the historic Chougan he laid foundation stones for 15 road projects to be constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 1.75 billion (Rs 1.75 bn) under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana IV and NABARD. The projects include Drabla, Samotha, Fatehpur,..

Infrastructure Transport

06 Aug 2026

NHAI Removes 46 Illegal Structures At Sitni

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), working with the district administration and police, conducted an anti-encroachment drive at village Sitni in Jammu district on 1 August. The operation targeted illegal structures along the national highway and resulted in the removal of 46 illegally constructed structures encroaching on NHAI and government land. The action was aimed at restoring an obstruction-free Right of Way (RoW) along the highway and safeguarding public infrastructure following directions from the Supreme Court after the Phalodi accident. Agencies involved included the reg..