Mysore/Mysuru: Maintaining that pandal owners are in dire straits due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, the Mysuru District Pandal Owners Association has urged the Government to bring pandal industry under the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) sector.

Speaking at the Association’s calendar release programme organised at Pathrakartara Bhavan here recently, Associ-ation Secretary Wasim Akram said that pandal owners who earned a living by lending Pandals, Shamianas, tables, chairs and such other articles  on rent to organisers of functions, programmes, ceremonies etc., are now facing a crisis due to loss of business following the outbreak of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent nationwide lockdown. Maintaining that pandal business is facing a deep crisis, he said that several pandal owners have decided to shut shop due to huge losses on account of lack of business.

Asserting that the pandal industry needed a financial package like all other sectors, Akram  urged the Government to bring pandal industry under SME sector for the revival of the industry, which is fighting for survival.

Mysuru District Journalists Association (MDJA) President S.T. Ravikumar, who spoke after releasing the calendar, said that pandal industry has run into trouble following the COVID-19 induced nationwide lockdown and the Government must come to the aid of pandal owners in this critical period.

Association Vice-President M.P. Shivakumar, office-bearers Lingappa, A.Taj  Mohammad, S. Vegananda, Nagaraj, Mohammad Mansur and others were present at the press meet.