Congress leader P Chidambaram took a swipe at the government today, highlighting apparently contradictory statements by two Union Ministers on condition of MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) that have been adversely affected by the national lockdown over the COVID-19 virus.
In the first of two tweets posted at around 10 am, Mr Chidambaram referred to a comment by MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari, who told news channel CNBC-TV18 that government agencies owed MSMEs Rs 5 lakh crore in unpaid dues.
Mr Chidambaram then pointed to a statement by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday, in which she announced Rs 3 lakh crores in collateral-free loans for 45 lakh MSMEs.
“Minister Gadkari says that governments and PSUs owe Rs 5 lakh crore as unpaid dues to MSMEs. Minister Sitharaman says she will offer collateral free loan of Rs 3 lakh crore to MSMEs (numbering 45 lakhs). So, who is the lender and who is the borrower?!” Mr Chidambaram tweeted.
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