After coming out of recession, fire-proof bricks (refractory) manufacturing units in Madhya Pradesh are facing a tough time due to callous neglect of state and central agencies. During recession, the industry in Madhya Pradesh suffered as orders from the USA and Europe slipped by half. Now when the lean time is over, Central and state agencies, namely Southern Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) and MP Laghu Udyog Nigam not only snapped the linkage of the MSME industry but also have said they hardly can help on the issue. The industry which has a combined turn over of Rs 400 crore with as many as 35 refractory units is facing additional financial strain due to costly fuel.
“We have to pay additional 30 per cent to procure coal from open auction, SECL has discontinued business with us and MP Laghu Udyog Nigam caters to hardly 40 per cent of our demands,” Arvind Gugalia, president of MP Refractory Manufacturing Association said.
