Nashik industries return to normalcy

North Indian workers are back, but in low numbers.

Industries in Nashik, which has been facing a severe manpower shortage ever since there had been attacks on North Indians, is gradually returning to normalcy.

"North Indian workers, who had fled the city after they were attacked by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena activists, have started returning, but in very low numbers. It will take a minimum of three months before complete normalcy is restored," said Nishikant Ahire, president, Nashik Industries & Manufacturers' Association (NIMA).

The worst hit industries are in Ambad, Satpur and Sinnar areas of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and a cluster of industries spread on private land in Gonde near Nashik industrial areas as they employ north Indian workers in large numbers.

"The production losses of these units are estimated at around 40 per cent," he said.

Around 2,700 units, including 250 large industries, are operational in the industrial areas of Satpur, Ambad, Sinnar and Gonde. Around 15 per cent of the total workforce in these four industrial areas are from North India. But, their proportion in various companies ranges from 20 per cent to 80 per cent. The proportion in higher in steel, sheetmetal, rolling and forging industries.

"The production of around 50 units from steel and heavy industries was completely halted last week. These units employ 60-80 per cent of North Indian workers," Ahire added.

Other industrial associations have estimated the production losses between Rs 300 crore and Rs 400 crore.