AIADMK workers observe fast

Coimbatore,Feb 11 (PTI):Over 1500 AIADMK activists,includingits MPs and MLAs, today observed a one day fast in Tirupur,criticising the government for reportedly not taking up theissue of closure of dyeing and bleaching units, following aMadras High court order last month to close them down

The activists alleged that the units were incurring lossesof more than Rs 200 crore per day and that government shouldimmediately interfere and find a permanent solution likeimplementation of Marine Discharge, considering its adverseeffect on the knitwear and hosiery industry in the region.

If a solution was not found entire dyeing business would goto other States like Gujarat,Maharashtra and Punjab,they said.

Meanwhile,Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhakagam general secretaryEaswaran in a statement criticised the Government andindustrialists for not involving farmers'' representatives intheir talks to find a solution.

The Court had ordered closure of the polluting units onlyafter farmers lodged complaints over the pollution, he said.