Morbi town observed a complete bandh on Tuesday in support of the ongoing strike by 600 small and big ceramic industrial units. The bandh call was given by Gujarat Wall Tiles Association (GWTA) and Gujarat Granito Association (GGA).
On November 28, ceramic units in and around Morbi stopped operations indefinitely to protest the state government’s failure to meet their demands, particularly for less expensive natural gas. The gas is currently supplied to them by the state-owned Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC).
Streets wore a deserted look throughout the day as schools, colleges, shops, banks and various institutions remained closed.
Industry associations along with Morbi Chamber of Commerce and 10,000 diamond workers also joined the bandh.
The ceramic units have incurred losses of more than Rs.600 crore since they decided to go on strike. More than 1 lakh labourers have been rendered jobless because of the shutdown.
“We are paying wages to labourers who are here. Many workers come to Morbi from outside. They have left for home since the shutdown shows no sign of ending,” Patel said.
There has been little headway in attempts to end the strike despite efforts by both the state and central governments.
Besides further cuts in price of natural gas, the ceramic units are demanding revision of value added tax (VAT) to match that of substitutes such as marble and granite; and revision of excise duty for ceramic products in view of commoditization. In October, the Gujarat high court had ordered closure of coal-fired gasifiers in response to a PIL objecting to their use because of the pollution caused by them.
BANDH EFFECT
Daily loss of 50cr
5,000 trucks stranded
4 lakh people affected, including retailers and distributors
1 lakh workers have lost jobs
CERAMIC INDUSTRY IN MORBI-WANKANER
Annual turnover of 12,000cr
Direct employment to 1 lakh workers
Indirect employment to 2 lakh workers
125cr revenue to state government
Produces 85 per cent of India’s wall, floor and vitrified tiles
On November 28, ceramic units in and around Morbi stopped operations indefinitely to protest the state government’s failure to meet their demands, particularly for less expensive natural gas. The gas is currently supplied to them by the state-owned Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC).
Streets wore a deserted look throughout the day as schools, colleges, shops, banks and various institutions remained closed.
Industry associations along with Morbi Chamber of Commerce and 10,000 diamond workers also joined the bandh.
The ceramic units have incurred losses of more than Rs.600 crore since they decided to go on strike. More than 1 lakh labourers have been rendered jobless because of the shutdown.
“We are paying wages to labourers who are here. Many workers come to Morbi from outside. They have left for home since the shutdown shows no sign of ending,” Patel said.
There has been little headway in attempts to end the strike despite efforts by both the state and central governments.
Besides further cuts in price of natural gas, the ceramic units are demanding revision of value added tax (VAT) to match that of substitutes such as marble and granite; and revision of excise duty for ceramic products in view of commoditization. In October, the Gujarat high court had ordered closure of coal-fired gasifiers in response to a PIL objecting to their use because of the pollution caused by them.
BANDH EFFECT
Daily loss of 50cr
5,000 trucks stranded
4 lakh people affected, including retailers and distributors
1 lakh workers have lost jobs
CERAMIC INDUSTRY IN MORBI-WANKANER
Annual turnover of 12,000cr
Direct employment to 1 lakh workers
Indirect employment to 2 lakh workers
125cr revenue to state government
Produces 85 per cent of India’s wall, floor and vitrified tiles
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