Textile, chemical units shut in Guj after GSPC stops gas supply

Textile,chemical units shut in Guj after GSPC stops gas supply

Around 150 textile and chemical units in south Gujarat have downed shutters for 10 days after industrial gas supply was stopped by Gujarat Gas, a subsidiary of the Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Ltd.

"Gujarat Gas has completely stopped industrial gas supply to textile and chemical units which has resulted in this shutdown," South Gujarat Textile Processors' Association President Jitu Vakharia said.

"The notice was sent to the units on January 14, informing about industrial gas supply cut from January 21 to January 31, citing supply issues from the international market," he said.

Vakharia said that close to 150 textile and chemical units have downed their shutters.

"We will meet Gujarat Gas officials soon and make a representation. If the meeting does not yield any results, we will have to meet top government officials," he said.

Meanwhile, sources representing Gujarat Gas said that the rise in demand for gas in global markets is due to the winter, and gas supply has been diverted to the US and Europe.

"Gas is not available from spot markets. Supply has not been stopped to consumers and essential industries. But supply to non-essential industries like textiles and chemical units has been stopped," a source said.

Officials informed them that they could not stop gas supply to residents and hence had to stop supplying it to textile and chemical units as well.

He claimed that the shut down would affect livelihoods of at least 40,000 workers since the entire chain of production, distribution and supply has been disrupted.

"Currently, production of around 1.5 crore metre polyster fabric a day has come to a standstill. This results in a loss of Rs 40 crore," he said, adding that this is the first time industrial gas supply was stopped completely.

"There used to be supply shortages earlier, but this is the first time that supply has been affected completely," Vakharia said, adding that the issue was discussed with the Centre and the state earlier.