Dyeing units down shutters

After the decision of Punjab Pollution Control Board to disconnect power supply of 17 erring units,more than 270 dyeing units of Ludhiana have gone on an indefinite strike.

After the decision of Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to disconnect power supply of 17 erring units,more than 270 dyeing units of Ludhiana have gone on an indefinite strike. They are terming the decision as a diktat of PPCB chairman Yogesh Goel and are demanding his immediate transfer. They are also demanding that the notices to close 17 units be taken back with immediate effect.

The members of the Dyeing Association of Ludhiana said the PPCB is forcing them to use zero liquid discharge technology which is not possible for the dyeing industry. The industrialists staged a dharna at the Vishavkarma Chowk on Monday. The strike will continue till their demands are met,said T R Mishra,chairman of the association.

Mishra said,The industry is taking all the measures to control pollution and treated water of dyeing units is also being used for irrigation purposes in many areas. These reports are with the PPCB but they are still harassing us.

The samples of a few dyeing units were taken by the PPCB recently and they had failed the tests. Mishra,however,said the PPCB is making false reports to defame the industry.

The industrialists said the MC contributes 87 per cent of sewer disposal and industry contributes only 13 per cent which is treated as well.

Supporting the strike,Federation of Knitwear,Textile and Allied Industries Association (FEKTAA) has asked the CM to intervene. If the strike continues for a week,thousands of hosiery and textile units dependent on these units will have to stop production. The output is already affected due to power cuts.

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