Majority of powerloom observe strike over power tariff hike

Nearly 1.4 lakh powerlooms in Coimbatore and nearby Tirupur districts today remained silent, following strike by the owners, protesting against the 15 per cent increase in the power tariff.
The districts have over two lakh power looms, out of which 1.4 lakh were operated by Job Workers, who wanted the Government to convert the hike as subsidy, to relieve them from the burden, sources in the powerloom association in Somanur, said.
There would be a production loss of rs.20 crore due to the one-day strike, they said.
Meanwhile, members of nine industrial associations, particularly small and medium industries, today staged a demonstration in the city, seeking withdrawal of hike in the power tariff.

The increase will adversely impact the industries, which were reviving after a 70 per cent power cut for the last two years, the memebrs of the associations, said.