Truckers' stir deals another blow to ailing textile units

Transporters' strike has dealt another major blow to Surat's textile industry, which has already suffered huge losses due to the recent floods.

As the strike entered the fourth day on Tuesday, thousands of parcels containing textiles worth crores of rupees are piled up at various places.

The Federation of Surat Textile Traders' Association President Mahendra Saluja said, "Though it is not easy to estimate the losses incurred by the industry, they are very huge. Transportation of parcels has been disrupted for a week. The industry cannot suffer losses for long We want the strike to end soon for smooth transportation of goods."

The federation vice president Devkishan Manghani said, "Around one lakh parcels, containing textiles worth up to Rs 100 crore are sent from Surat each day. Parcels worth up to Rs 400 crore are stuck due to the strike, which is causing whopping losses to the industry."

"Many traders are sending their parcels through trains, private buses and state transport buses. But only a limited number of parcels can be transported in this manner. Private bus operators are overcharging us for carrying parcels," said Manghani.

"I urge the central government and transporters to settle the service tax issue amicably, so that the strike is called off as soon as possible," said Manghani.

The federation organisational secretary Sardar Attar Singh said, "The industry is suffering losses of up to Rs 150 crore everyday. This is peak business time for the textile industry. Many traders have huge orders, but they are helpless as goods cannot be sent to customers."

"The industry was showing signs of revival for some days, but the transporters' strike has again pushed the industry into crisis."

The strike has also affected production in powerlooms.

Federation of Gujarat Weavers' Associations president Manu Patel said, "Production was normal in most of the powerlooms of the city until Sunday, but we have now started feeling the pinch. Many powerlooms are closed as they have no yarn, while many units have cut production. Even they will have to eventually stop production as the stock of yarn is fast diminishing due to the strike."