UP weavers announce shutdown to protest new power tariff rule

The Bunkar Mahasabha of Uttar Pradesh has called for an indefinite shutdown of power looms beginning today to protest against the Yogi Adityanath government's December 2019 decision to do away with the flat power rates for the weavers. The weavers said they were struggling to survive with increasing financial crunch due to the new rule.

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh):Protesting against the Yogi Adityanath government's decision to do change the rules regarding power subsidy for weavers, the Bunkar Mahasabha called for state-wide shutting down of powerlooms.

A majority of power looms across Varanasi, which is known for its weavers, were shut today, as the weavers demanded that they be given power subsidy like farmers, and be asked to pay only a flat rate like earlier.

The weavers said that they were under severe financial crunch due to the pressure of old pending power dues, and were on the brink of shutting down their business for good if their power supply is cut.

Haji Rahmatullah Ansari, the general secretary of the Bunkar Mahasabha, Uttar Pradesh, said that the weavers were protesting against the Yogi Adityanath government's December 2019 decision to revise the subsidy system to power looms.

He said that weavers used to pay flat rates for electricity for their power looms since 2006, but were now having to pay much more because of the new rules.

"The Cabinet took the decision unilaterally. There was no law passed. We are suffering," he said.

"Hence we decided to call for an indefinite state-wide shutdown of power looms. For the next 15 days, weavers will also protest following all social-distancing norms," he said.

The protesting weavers claimed that the situation was extremely bad for them, with many even being forced to quit due to the rising operating costs.

Read:Priyanka says weavers in Varanasi suffering, seeks financial package