Textile entrepreneurs observe a fast in Coimbatore demanding reduction of waste cotton, electricity costs

Over 350 textile entrepreneurs of Coimbatore and Tiruppur districts observed a fast at Karanampettai in Coimbatore district on Friday demanding measures to control the price of waste cotton.

The Recycle Textile Federation had announced the protest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday demanding measures to control the price of waste cotton, which is the main raw material for openend spinning mills. It also called for exemption from network charges for rooftop solar systems and reduction of various charges collected by the Electricity Department from the textile industries.

“We are not against increase in electricity charges. We are only asking for reduction of various other charges increased more than 60 % since 2022,” said M. Jayapal, president of the Federation. In the last four years, there is no response from the government and every July all electricity charges are increased though the industry is seeking relief, he added.

Openend spinning mill and weaving unit owners took part in the protest.