Even as the authorities are making efforts to end the ongoing strike by workers under the aegis of Sircilla Powerloom Weavers (SPLW) in Sircilla, the owners of the units operating from the Sircilla Textile Park are planning to shut their units in protest against the government’s lackadaisical approach.

The Textile Park Development Committee (TPDC) on behalf of the textile owners issued a strike notice to the Sircilla RDO and labour officer stating that they would go on strike from January 16, if their demands are not met.

They were demanding power subsidy of 50 per cent on each unit and subsidy of 20 per cent on the investment made for setting up the unit. The Textile Park was set up at Baddenapalli, 13 km from Sircilla, 12 years ago. The government encouraged  entrepreneurs to set up textile units at the park offering incentives. However, the owners are reportedly incurring huge losses since they are getting power at higher rates.

“About 30 units have already been shut down against the total of 114 due to financial burden. Nearly 2,200 workers are working in these units  and everyday about 1.20 lakh metres of polyester cloth is made at the Textile Park,” said an owner of the unit.

Ambadas Anil, a representative of TPDC, said the textile unit owners  are at a loss.

In Karnataka and Maharastra, power is charged at  Rs.4 on each unit. “But here, we are paying Rs. 8 per each unit,” rued B Sudarshanam, a textile unit owner. The Textile Park authorities said it was not possible to ensue power subsidy. “For the first three years, we offered subsidies to encourage entrepreneurs. But now, there is a no such offer,” said an officer.