Surat weavers divided over Diwali vacation timing

Diwali, normally, is peak business season for Surat's textile industry. Things are different this year. Overproduction and large number of vanishing firms have hurt the industry badly.

At a meeting of the steering committee of Federation of Gujarat Weavers Association, it was proposed a 25-day Diwali vacation for the weaving industry. But it is learnt that differences have cropped up among the members over the timing of the vacation.

The federation president, Manu Patel, however, denied there were any differences among the steering committee members. "The idea of announcing the Diwali vacation was floated by one of the committee members, which was welcomed by all the other members. All agreed that the move would be beneficial for the weaving industry," Patel told Business Standard.

"There are, however, differences over the date of the vacation. Some of the committee members are of the opinion that the vacation should be announced before Diwali, while some others want the vacation to be after Diwali," he said.

"The weavers, who have suggested that the vacation should start before Diwali, believe that this would help the weaving industry. The vacation would lead to cut in production, which would result in increase in grey prices. The goods would be easily sold and further, when units restart after Diwali, there would again be good demand," the federation president said.

"Those who opposed this idea, say that if vacation is announced before Diwali, the festival time business would be affected. They are saying that it would also lead to problems for powerloom workers. These weavers are, however, ready if the vacation is started three or four days before Diwali, which I feel is the best thing to do," Patel said.

The weavers have organised a public meeting on October 30 to take a final decision about the vacation dates. "We do not want to take any decision in a hurry or give rise to any controversy. For this, we have organised a public meeting, during which we will talk to the weavers," Patel added.