Manufacturers and members of various micro, small and medium enterprises from the southern districts undertook a peaceful protest against the de-reservation of a slew of products which were earlier meant only for small-scale industries (SSI) in the country.
To cost losses
“The de-reservation of these products will cost losses to the tune of many crores for the SSI units in the southern districts in particular, where many of them are engaged in manufacturing operations,” said V.S. Manimaran, president of Madurai District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Association (MADITSSIA).
According to a government order which was passed on April 10, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry had announced the de-reservation of 20 products which were previously reserved for manufacturing only by the Micro and Small Enterprises Sector (MSE).
The products include agarbattis, pickles, chutneys, steel furniture, notebooks and matchsticks.
“Take back
order”
Manufacturers from Sivaganga, Virudhunagar, Dindigul, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Kanyakumari and Theni districts participated in the protest and urged the Centre to take back the order.
“There are more than five lakh micro and small enterprises all over the country and about 45,000 in Tamil Nadu alone. This will greatly affect the livelihood of the people involved if bigger industries enter the manufacturing of these products due to the competition.
The products of good quality available at a lower cost which are manufactured by the MSEs will have to face stiff competition from brands,” Mr. Manimaran said.