Date:23/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/23/stories/2008072355720300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Good response to strike call at Sivakasi

Staff Reporter

In protest against unannounced power shutdowns

Representatives of various associations take out procession
Memorandum given to Superintending Engineer, TNEB

SIVAKASI: Majority of match, printing, fireworks industrial units and shops in the town remained closed on Tuesday in response to the strike call given by 13 associations to protest unannounced power cuts.

J. Ramesh Kumar, president of Sivakasi Masters Printers’ Association, said that a good number of shops remained closed. Representatives of various associations took out a procession to highlight the suffering of industries, owing to power cut. Later, they presented a memorandum to the Superintending Engineer, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board.

The industrialists wanted the TNEB to provide power supply to the industrial units between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. so that the fireworks, printing and packaging industries could work overtime to meet the Diwali orders across the country.

They wanted the Government to provide subsidy for diesel used for generators during power cuts.

The associations also insisted that power supply should not be snapped over and above the scheduled period of power cuts.

A. Asaithambi, president of Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers’ Association, represented his association.