Textile processing units end strike after 7 days

This means sarees and dress material could become costlier for users.

Over 400 textile processing units in Surat remained shut for seven days as part of the strike during which unit owners met state Industry Minister Saurabh Patel and Union Petroleum Minister Jaipal Reddy and made representations to them.

The decision to hike charges for dyeing and printing of unfinished clothes came during meeting of SGTPA on Friday evening.

After members complained that the cost had gone high following a rise in in the prices of chemicals,electricity,gas,water and coal used in the processing houses,the SGTPA president finally agreed to a hike of 50 paisa per metre on dyeing of grey cloth and Rs 1.50 per metre on their printing.

Standard charges of dyeing grey clothes (unfinished fabric) in the processing houses range from Rs 5.50-16.

Printing charges are between Rs 2 rupees and Rs 8.

SGTPA president Pramod Chaudhary said the decision to hike the charges was unanimous. “New charges will be applicable from April 15 and all processing house owners have been informed.

However,we are also waiting for the Gujarat Gas Company Limited,which supplies gas to the units,to reduce its gas price. Union Petroleum Minister Jaipal Reddy had assured us that he would do something.”

The cycle in the textile industry starts from the weaving section in the powerloom industry.

Weavers sell weaved cloth (grey cloth) to textile traders who later get them dyed and printed in the processing houses and sell it to stockists.

Federation of Surat Textile Traders Association president Devkishan Mankani said,“SGTPA members should have taken us into confidence before taking a decision. SGTPA has not sent us any communication. We will not tolerate it.”