Textile industry in Gujarat calls for 48-hour bandh

To protest against the imposition of excise duty, the federations of hosiery garment and made-up industry has called for 48 hour nationwide bandh (shutdown) on Monday and Tuesday. 

The government has imposed mandatory excise duty on all branded hosiery, garment and made ups in the recent Budget. The industry representatives have made presentations in person to the finance ministry, textile ministry and other important decision makers of the country about the same.

Sources from the industry said many dealers have already increased the prices by 10% to 20%. If the government does not agree to their demands they will go on an indefinite strike, said the representatives. In the city protesters have already planned a human chain from Nehru Bridge to Ellisbridge on Tuesday and a dharna (protest) and hunger strike opposite Rupali cinema.

"The excise duty is not justified as the industry is fragmented and unorganized. The textile industry is the largest in the country after agriculture and it provides employment to 8% of the population with more than 40% being women. The hike in garment cost will result in a slow down and affect the workers," said Vijay Purohit, president of Gujarat Garment Manufacturers Association.

The protesters also questioned the rationale behind keeping cotton yarn (industry) out of the excise net, while including others in the same.