Being misquoted to create haze around comprehensive looking MSME revival package: Gadkari

'I am surprised to see how I am being misquoted to create a haze around the comprehensive and forward looking MSME revival package announced by Govt. Please see the tweet of @CNBCTV18News.

The tweet itself says dues of private sector are included. In the same interview I had also appealed to private major industry to clear the outstanding dues of MSMEs. All MSME associations have identified the delayed receivables as a major problem,' he said.

"Governmentt has announced all Central Govt and CPSE dues to be paid to MSMEs within 45 days as part of comprehensive package," he said.

"I expect media and opposition to play a responsible role in the present crisis and support my appeal to all stakeholders including Private industries to fast track payments of MSMEs," he added.

Gadkari's clarification came after Senior Congress leader and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram took a swipe at the statements by Gadkari and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on the situation of the MSMEs sector.

In a series of tweets, Chidambaram said, "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?!"

'"Will the two ministers 'settle their accounts' first and let MSMEs save themselves without government's 'help'?" the former Finance Minister said in a jibe at the statements by the Union ministers.