SURAT, July 11: The Federation of South Gujarat Weavers, which was formed last week to oppose the high power tariff charged in Gujarat, will hold its first public meeting on July 15 at Udhna crossroads.The federation pointed out that the weaving industry in Gujarat was facing a disadvantage due to low power tariff in the neighbouring Maharashtra, which allowed the industry there to price goods at a cheaper rate.If the present state of affairs continued, the weaving industry in Gujarat, already on its last legs, will collapse sooner than later, the federation said.The public meeting will demand that the Union Textile Ministry extend immediate assistance to the weaving industry from the Rs 25,000 crore fund, set up by the Central government recently.The federation claimed that the industry suffered owing to lack of organisation and allowed itself to be exploited. The aim behind formation of the federation was to bring all societies of weavers from the city and district on one platform.If the state government failed to give relief in power tariff, the federation might ask its constituents to take to the streets, it claimed.
