Textile traders' stir continues

Textile traders continued their relay hunger strike on Thursday.

Mutha workers associated with the textile trade in the One Town area formed as a human chain to express their solidarity with the ongoing agitation against the 4 per cent VAT on textiles imposed by the government. The CPI city unit expressed its solidarity with the textile traders.

They formed a human chain near Vastralata.

CPI city secretary K. Subba Raju said VAT on textiles would push the textile industry into doldrums.

Handloom weavers were already facing hardship with no incentives and assistance from the government.

The newly imposed VAT would further their problems. VAT would be a burden on the common man as well, he said. The government's decision would deepen the crisis in the textile industry, he said and added the government should withdraw the VAT immediately.