Bhubaneswar: The adverse impact of GST in Gujarat is being felt in Odisha. Lakhs of Odia workers engaged in the textile mills in Surat were rendered jobless as the powerlooms downed shutters following the introduction of GST in the country.
Out of the 7 lakh workers employed in the textile industry in Gujarat, about 5 lakh are from Odisha. Moreover, about 3 lakh woman workers, including some from Odisha, are working in the fabric print and value additions like stiching stone and mirror on sarees. However, many of the units have been sold in the scraps during the last one year due the impact of GST. This has resulted in about 40,000 Odia workers losing their jobs during the last one year..
The Odisha chief minister, Naveen Patnaik, has sent the state finance minister Sashi Bhusan Behera to discuss with the president of Federation of Gujarat Weavers’ Association Ashok Jirawala and the president of Padesara Weavers Cooperative Society Ashis Gujarati on the issue of problem being faced by the Odia workers. Behera, who is leaving for Surat on Thursday, said that there is need to revive the powerloom industries in Gujarat. The input credits deposited with the government be released to the industry for its revival, he added.
