The Southern India Mills Association has urged the government to roll back the diesel price hike in the interests of over 91 million people working in the textile industry.
Though the price has been increased by Rs 9.25 per litre, the net impact of the increase at the consuming point would work out to Rs 11 per litre.
S Dinakaran, chairman, Southern India Mills Association, said the Tamil Nadu textile industry was facing over 60 per cent power shortage and the industry was relying only on diesel power generation.
The Indian textile industry, the single largest employment provider, employing over 91 million people particularly the rural masses and women, was the backbone of country's economy, he said, adding the industry had been passing through its worst period since the last two years owing to high volatility in the raw material prices. Tamil Nadu, which accounts for over one-third of the textile business in the country, is the worst-affected state. It directly employs over 5 million people.
