With goods trains off observe, Punjab’s lifeline cut off

Amid the continued suspension of goods trains by the Railways to Punjab, key sectors from agro-processing, engineering, hosiery, pharmaceutical, textile, energy to auto parts makers have taken a blow in Punjab as provide of uncooked materials has diminished and supply of merchandise have come to a close to halt.

While the BJP-led Central authorities on Wednesday blamed the Punjab authorities’s inaction for the continued deadlock, members of as many as 30 farmers outfits determined to permit motion of goods trains until November 20 amid the continued ‘rail roko’ agitation towards Centre’s farm laws.

Farmers additionally introduced to shift their ‘agitation’ from railway platforms to close by vicinities. The Railways, in the meantime, mentioned its losses have crossed ₹1,200 crore within the final month as prepare operations stay suspended attributable to farmer protests presently at about 32 locations on railway premises and tracks in Punjab.

“Earlier we had decided to let goods train go through the railway tracks till November 5, and now we have decided to extend the date till November 20. The ongoing impasse is due to authoritarian attitude of the Central government and discrimination towards Punjab farmers,” mentioned Jagmohan Singh, common secretary, Bhartaiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda).

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar mentioned the rail blockade by farmers in Punjab was because of the State authorities’s inaction and that the Centre was eager on restarting operations shortly. “Essentially, law and order are the responsibility of the State government. They can have a dialogue with farmers, which they have not done,” he mentioned.

Several industry-players consider that except the stalemate between Central and State governments was resolved it might be troublesome for the companies to get again to regular.

“The condition of micro, small and medium enterprises has gone from bad to worse due to suspension of railways. Over 90% MSMEs in the State are involved in manufacture of cycle. But due to shortage of raw materials the production has gone down by at least 50%,” Narinder Bhamra, president, Fastener Manufacturers Association of India, informed The Puucho.

Mr. Bhamra mentioned the {industry} is unable to produce merchandise towards its commitments to international patrons and is dealing with heavy penalties owing to the delay. “A conservative estimate put our industry loss at ₹5,000 crore,” Mr. Bhamra mentioned.

The agro-processing {industry} has additionally taken successful. “The basmati rice exports have come to a complete standstill. Over 2,000 rice containers are lying uncleared at inland container depot (ICD) in Ludhiana,” mentioned Ashok Sethi, director, Punjab Rice Millers and Exporters Association.