INDUSTRIALISTS hold massive protest against e-TRIP; warn to go on fast unto death from August 1

Ludhiana, July 26, 2013: A massive protest was staged against the implementation of e-Trip by the local industrialists.

Protesting industrialists threatened to observe fast unto death from August 1 onwards, if the implementation of e-Trip was not rolled back by the state government.

Protestors were from different segments of the industries including hosiery, textile, yarn, iron and steel and fasteners. They event shouted slogans in favour of their demand.

This protest was staged under banner of the All Industry and Trade Forum. The Forum’s leaders announced that they would be constrained to go on fast unto death from August 1 onwards if the Punjab government did not withdraw e-Trip.

In his address, the All Industry and Trade Forum Convener Narinder Bhamra said Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has called a meeting with representatives of trade and industry on July 30 to listen to industry's grievances. He categorically announced that they would be constrained to go for further intensifying the struggle if the forthcoming meeting failed to yield any results.

The forum’s co-convener Badish Jindal feared that the newly introduced system (e-TRIP) is not foolproof, as there is no security of password. He said the industry and trade feared that password could get leaked. There are many other practical problems, he added.

The entire bicycle market, on Gill Road, here was greatly affected due to the strike because it remained closed today. It was a voluntarily shut down for the day, as a mark of e-TRIP. Even the shopkeepers in the market said the newly introduced system was not feasible for them, as it was to put additional financial burden on them, even most of the traders did not have the required infrastructure. They strongly feel that it was totally against the spirit of trade and industry.

Meanwhile, yarn dealers in the city have also stopped trading activity till Saturday in protest against e-Trip system.

It may be recalled here that Punjab Government has brought six commodities namely cotton, mustard, plywood, iron and steel (excluding scrap), yarn and vegetable oil (edible and non-edible) under e-Trip to check evasion.

Among others, Pawan Dewan, President, District Congress Committee (Urban), Ludhiana also joined the protest.