Reported by The Times of India
Surat: Union textiles minister Giriraj Singh on Friday alleged that attempts were being made to create unrest in Surat by certain political elements and urged textile industrialists to resolve the ongoing dispute with embroidery workers amicably to ensure that industrial activity is not disrupted.
Singh, who began a three-day visit to Surat on Friday amid growing tensions between embroidery unit owners and workers demanding eight-hour shifts and paid weekly offs, claimed that some political elements were trying to disturb the peaceful industrial atmosphere.
Political people have become unemployed and are attempting to disturb the country’s peaceful atmosphere,” Singh alleged while interacting with textile industrialists. Urging employers to resolve the dispute through dialogue, he said, “Solve this issue like a family.”Drawing parallels with his home state of Bihar, Singh claimed that industrial activity in Begusarai had suffered in the past because of communist influence.
I come from Bihar. Due to communists in my constituency Begusarai earlier, oil refinery unit had closed, all industrial estates closed, thermal power closed, fertilizer closed. After Narendra Modi came to power, around Rs 50,000 crore investment was made, refinery revamped, fertilizer unit started,” he said.
