Frequent hartals affecting Kerala's economy : CII

Kochi, Nov 2 (UNI) The Kerala Chapter of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) today said the frequent strikes and hartals in the State was adversely affecting the growth of the State's economy.

In a statement here, it said '' hartals with its grammatical variations and cognate expressions like motor strike, 'Kadayadappu' and 'Vahana Bandh' are affecting the day-to-day life of Keralites and paralyzing the State's economy.'' The industry, due to strikes, had to bear the cost of the incremental increase of stocking of additional raw materials, including demurrage, which would be four to six per cent of the cost of production. On an average, the total production loss would be to the tune of Rs 650 to 700 crore per day due to strikes and hartals, it added.

'' The hardest hit are the poorer sections of Kerala society like headload workers, farm labourers, autorickshaw and taxi drivers and those who deal in perishable goods.'' The organisation also observed that the strike violates the fundamental rights of the citizens.

UNI