The Iran-Israel war is having a bad impact on the industrial sectors of many states of the country. The industrial area located in Dada Nagar of Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh was also not untouched by this. The industry here is going through a serious crisis due to the huge increase in the prices of raw materials, shortage of commercial gas cylinders and increasing transit time.

Sandeep Malhotra, an exporter who exports to Europe, said that his business has a commitment of 180 to 210 days, but due to the continuously increasing costs, he has stopped taking new orders from March 15. The prices of polyester yarn, cotton and other fabrics are increasing daily. Old orders are currently being fulfilled at the old rates, but it will be necessary to implement the new rates in future. Due to increase in transit time and change in route, export cost has also increased.

‘Now cylinders are not available even in black’

According to Mayank Bij, associated with the textile industry, the raw material in his industry has become costlier by 25 to 30 percent. Specialized labor comes from outside, but due to non-availability of gas cylinders, the workers are not able to cook food and are returning. The shortage of cylinders is so much that it is not available even in black. Due to increasing costs, there is no coordination between production cost and market price.

Industrialist Vijay Kapoor says that there are about 2500 industries in Dada Nagar. In the current situation, 50 percent of the industries are running at only 10 to 20 percent capacity, 30 percent of the industries are running at 50 to 60 percent capacity and only 20 percent of the industries are able to work up to 80 percent capacity. Some do not have raw material, some lack labor and some do not have gas cylinders. He says that the situation has become worse than the Corona period.

Plastic and packaging industry most affected

Let us tell you that various units including spice, rolling mill, biscuit, plastic, packaging, export, cycle parts and food industry operate in Dada Nagar. Plastic and packaging industries are the most affected, where raw material worth Rs 100 has reached Rs 180. In the chemical industry, goods worth Rs 100 have become worth Rs 200, while the price of iron has increased by about Rs 20 per kg.

Industrialists say that unless there is regular supply of gas cylinders and stability in the prices of raw materials, the situation will not become normal. Vijay Kapoor had demanded from the administration to postpone the tax and recovery target for the month of March, to give relief in house tax, water tax, electricity bill and GST, but no hearing was held.

Traders asked for help from CM Yogi

Traders have demanded a special package from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He says that just as relief is given to farmers in natural disasters, in the same way special assistance should be given to industries so that factories can avoid closure and both employment and revenue are protected.