Surat,
Gujarat
Fuel crisis due to coal shortage and
increase in costs of colour and chemicals has led to rising production costs,
forcing several mill owners in Surat to propose shutting down the mills for the
whole of November.
The
suggestions came during a meeting of the South Gujarat Textile Processing
Association (SGPTA) meeting.
The boilers in dyeing and printing
units generate steam using coal, majority of which is imported. However, a
shortage of coal has led to a three-fold increase in prices of colour
chemicals.
Sanjay
Saraogi, owner, Laxmipati group of industries, said that, Lignite coal
generated from Surat and Bharuch are also used in textile mills but its
efficiency to generate steam is less and can only be used as a substitute.
Pointing out that the industries were also facing short supply of colours and
chemicals, some of which are imported from China, Saraogi said that local
traders who had stocked them have increased prices.
He added that, this would be the
first time when textile mills may have to be closed due to fuel crisis. Instead
of keeping them closed for a month, they should reduce production and keep the
mills closed for two days a week. It would help both the owners and labourers.
He also said that, there are several labourers who work on daily wages and if
the mills remain shut for one month it would be difficult for them to survive.
Source:
The Indian Express
Image Source: Google Images
Also
Read:
https://indiantextilejournal.com/latest-textile-industry-news/nobel-prize–touch-and-textiles