Reviving textile mills

Sir, - The BJP-led NDA Government should take over sick textile mills to check unemployment and a disastrous fall in cloth and yarn production.

In Maharashtra alone, there are 21 sick textile mills managed by the Maharashtra State Textile Corporation (MSTC). These mills provide sustenance to 45,000 workers. Some mills are taken over under the provisions of the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act of 1951 and entrusted to the MSTC. As the mills have been incurring heavy losses, the burden of loans for making up these losses has mounted steeply. The sickness of these mills, which were viable and good, was because of man-made decisions. The profits of the mills were diverted towards setting up of new industries. Behind every sick mill, there is the tragic story of gross mismanagement, rapacious greed and callous disregard for the fate of workers.

The Tirupati Cotton Mills, which was a pioneer mill in Rayalaseema, was closed by the National Textiles Corporation and the company has been paying idle wages. During the lay off period, several leaders tried to restart the mill, but in vain. The Government can restart the mill with some capital.

Agarala Easwara Reddi,

Tirupati, A.P.

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