Plea to revive excise duty on match industry

Tiruchirapalli, Jan 13 (UNI) The Tiruchirapalli Match Manufacturers Association has appealed to the Centre to revive the excise duty and sales tax levy.

Earlier, the Government had exempted the hand-made match industry, coming under the small scale and tiny sector, from the purview of excise duty and sales tax levy, Asssociation President D Baskaran told a press conference here last night.

He alleged that the mechanised match industry was 'illegally' enjoying the exemption, thus making a dent in the prospects of the hand-made match industry in the country.

The 'unhealthy' competion had rendered the traditional industry helpless and its strength was reduced from 10,000 in 2003 to 6,000 now, in the state.

Alleging that chemicals-dipped match sticks were a hazardous commodity during transport, as the loose ones can ignite fire, he said action should be initiated to check their illegal transfer and sale.

He appealed to the Centre to respond positively to the plight of 20 lakh employees engaged in traditional units.

The Association, along with Sattur Taluk Match Manufacturers and Raw Material Suppliers Welfare Association and Swadeshi Tiny Match Manufacturers Welfare Association, Sattur, had filed a writ petition before the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Baskaran added.

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